Luke 15:29
What does Luke 15:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:29 means
The elder son angrily contrasts his faithful service to his father with the lack of any special reward for himself, complaining that he never received even a young goat to share with friends. He juxtaposes this with the immediate, lavish celebration for his younger brother, whom he scornfully calls "this thy son," rather than "my brother," highlighting his bitterness and sense of betrayal. His words reveal a transactional view of his relationship with his father, focused on earned merit rather than relational love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he made answer and said to his father, See, all these years I have been your servant, doing your orders in everything: and you never gave me even a young goat so that I might have a feast with my friends:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he answering said to the father, Lo, so many years I do serve thee, and never thy command did I transgress, and to me thou didst never give a kid, that with my friends I might make merry;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee and I have never transgressed thy commandment: and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But he answering said to his father, Behold, so many years I serve thee, and never have I transgressed a commandment of thine; and to me hast thou never given a kid that I might make merry with my friends:
Context
This verse provides the elder son's direct complaint to his father, revealing the core of his resentment. He expresses a sense of injustice and entitlement, believing his obedience should have earned him greater favor. This speech is crucial for understanding the nature of his self-righteousness, which is just as much a form of being "lost" as the younger son's rebellion, though in a different way.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 17:10
Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
- Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
- Revelation 3:17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
- Romans 3:20
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
- Romans 10:3
For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
- Isaiah 65:5
that say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
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