Devine Scripture

Luke 15:28

What does Luke 15:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 15:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 15:28 means

The elder son's reaction upon hearing the news is intense anger; he refuses to go into the celebratory feast. His refusal highlights his resentment and his sense of injustice toward the lavish welcome given to his wayward brother. His father, seeing his anger, comes out of the house and pleads with him to join. This demonstrates the father's relentless love, extending grace not only to the returning prodigal but also to the resentful, seemingly obedient, elder son.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he was angry and would not go in; and his father came out and made a request to him to come in.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And he was angry, and would not go in, therefore his father, having come forth, was entreating him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he was angry and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he became angry and would not go in. And his father went out and besought him.

Context

This verse describes the elder son's immediate, angry refusal to join the celebration, highlighting his deep-seated resentment. The father's action of coming out to entreat him is significant, as it mirrors his earlier pursuit of the lost son. This interaction sets up the direct confrontation where the elder son will air his grievances and the father will try to explain his boundless love and grace.

v.27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

v.28This passage

v.29But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 13:45

    But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

  • Jonah 4:9

    And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

  • Acts 13:50

    But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.

  • Acts 14:2

    But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.

  • Luke 24:47

    and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

  • Acts 14:19

    But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

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