Luke 15:27
What does Luke 15:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:27 means
The servant informs the elder son that his younger brother has returned safely, and in celebration, their father has killed the fatted calf. This news, delivered directly, explains the festivities but immediately presents a challenge to the elder son's expectations. The phrase "safe and sound" emphasizes the miraculous nature of the younger son's return from a perilous life, but for the elder brother, it simply highlights the lavishness of the welcome for one he likely deemed unworthy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said to him, Your brother has come; and your father has had the young ox put to death because he has come back safely.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he said to him--Thy brother is arrived, and thy father did kill the fatted calf, because in health he did receive him back.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said to him: Thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said to him, Thy brother is come, and thy father has killed the fatted calf because he has received him safe and well.
Context
This verse delivers the crucial information to the elder son, explaining the cause of the celebration. This direct revelation of his brother's return and the father's extravagant welcome is the catalyst for his anger and resentment. It establishes the conflict that will define the rest of the parable, moving the focus to the elder son's internal struggle with grace and fairness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:17
And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 22:13
came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.
- Philemon 1:16
no longer as a servant, but more than a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much rather to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
- Luke 15:30
but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.
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