Devine Scripture

Luke 15:32

What does Luke 15:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 15:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 15:32 means

The father concludes his appeal by explaining the compelling reason for celebration: "But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." He reiterates the profound truth of resurrection and recovery, urging the elder son to embrace the joy of his brother's spiritual restoration. This statement serves as the climactic summary of all three parables, justifying the celebration and inviting the elder son (and by extension, the Pharisees) to share in the divine joy over repentance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But it was right to be glad and to have a feast; for this your brother, who was dead, is living again; he had gone away and has come back.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but to be merry, and to be glad, it was needful, because this thy brother was dead, and did live again, he was lost, and was found.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But it was right to make merry and rejoice, because this thy brother was dead and has come to life again, and was lost and has been found.

Context

This verse powerfully concludes the father's explanation and appeal to the elder son, reiterating the main theme of the entire chapter. It connects the elder son's situation to the overarching message of divine joy over the lost being found, serving as the capstone for all three parables regarding the value of repentance. This final statement challenges the elder son (and the Pharisees) to align their hearts with God's compassionate love.

v.31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.

v.32This passage

Cross references

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

  • Luke 15:24

    for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

  • Jonah 4:10

    And Jehovah said, Thou hast had regard for the gourd, for which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

  • Romans 3:4

    God forbid: yea, let God be found true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy words, And mightest prevail when thou comest into judgment.

  • Romans 3:19

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

  • Romans 15:9

    and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto thee among the Gentiles, And sing unto thy name.

  • Ephesians 2:1

    And youdid he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,

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