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Lukas 15
Hoffnung für Alle

Die Gleichnisse vom verlorenen Schaf und von der verlorenen Münze (Matthäus 18,12‒14)

15 Immer wieder kamen viele Zolleinnehmer und andere verrufene Leute zu Jesus, um ihn zu hören. 2 Die Pharisäer und Schriftgelehrten ärgerten sich und schimpften: »Mit welchem Gesindel gibt der sich da ab! Er isst sogar mit ihnen!«

3 Da erzählte Jesus ihnen folgendes Gleichnis:

4 »Stellt euch vor, einer von euch hätte hundert Schafe und eins davon geht verloren, was wird er tun? Lässt er nicht die neunundneunzig in der Steppe zurück, um das verlorene Schaf so lange zu suchen, bis er es gefunden hat? 5 Wenn er es dann findet, nimmt er es voller Freude auf seine Schultern 6 und trägt es nach Hause. Dort angekommen ruft er seine Freunde und Nachbarn zusammen: ›Freut euch mit mir, ich habe mein verlorenes Schaf wiedergefunden!‹

7 Ich sage euch: So wird auch im Himmel Freude herrschen über einen Sünder, der zu Gott umkehrt – mehr als über neunundneunzig andere, die nach Gottes Willen leben und es deshalb gar nicht nötig haben, zu ihm umzukehren.

8 Oder nehmt ein anderes Beispiel: Eine Frau hat zehn Silbermünzen gespart. Eines Tages verliert sie eine davon. Sofort zündet sie eine Lampe an, stellt das ganze Haus auf den Kopf und sucht in allen Ecken. 9 Endlich findet sie die Münze. Sie ruft ihre Freundinnen und Nachbarinnen zusammen und erzählt: ›Ich habe mein verlorenes Geld wiedergefunden! Freut euch mit mir!‹

10 Genauso freuen sich auch die Engel Gottes, wenn ein einziger Sünder zu Gott umkehrt.«

Das Gleichnis von den zwei Söhnen

11 Jesus erzählte weiter: »Ein Mann hatte zwei Söhne. 12 Eines Tages sagte der jüngere zu ihm: ›Vater, ich will jetzt schon meinen Anteil am Erbe haben.‹ Da teilte der Vater seinen Besitz unter die beiden auf.

13 Nur wenige Tage später machte der jüngere Sohn seinen Anteil zu Geld, verließ seinen Vater und reiste ins Ausland. Dort leistete er sich, was immer er wollte. Er verschleuderte sein Geld, 14 bis er schließlich nichts mehr besaß. Da brach in jenem Land eine große Hungersnot aus. Es ging dem Sohn immer schlechter. 15 In seiner Verzweiflung bettelte er so lange bei einem Bauern, bis der ihn zum Schweinehüten auf die Felder schickte. 16 Oft quälte ihn der Hunger so sehr, dass er sogar über das Schweinefutter froh gewesen wäre. Aber nicht einmal davon erhielt er etwas.

17 Da kam er zur Besinnung: ›Bei meinem Vater hat jeder Arbeiter mehr als genug zu essen, und ich sterbe hier vor Hunger. 18 Ich will zu meinem Vater gehen und ihm sagen: Vater, ich bin schuldig geworden an Gott und an dir. 19 Sieh mich nicht länger als deinen Sohn an, ich bin es nicht mehr wert. Lass mich bitte als Arbeiter bei dir bleiben!‹

20 Er machte sich auf den Weg und ging zurück zu seinem Vater. Der erkannte ihn schon von weitem. Voller Mitleid lief er ihm entgegen, fiel ihm um den Hals und küsste ihn. 21 ›Vater‹, sagte der Sohn, ›ich bin schuldig geworden an Gott und an dir. Sieh mich nicht länger als deinen Sohn an, ich bin es nicht mehr wert.‹

22 Sein Vater aber befahl den Knechten: ›Beeilt euch! Holt das schönste Gewand im Haus und legt es meinem Sohn um. Steckt ihm einen Ring an den Finger und bringt Schuhe für ihn! 23 Schlachtet das Mastkalb! Wir wollen essen und feiern! 24 Denn mein Sohn war tot, jetzt lebt er wieder. Er war verloren, jetzt ist er wiedergefunden.‹ Und sie begannen ein fröhliches Fest.

25 Inzwischen war der ältere Sohn nach Hause gekommen. Er hatte auf dem Feld gearbeitet und hörte schon von weitem die Tanzmusik. 26 Er rief einen Knecht herbei und fragte ihn erstaunt: ›Was wird denn hier gefeiert?‹ 27 ›Dein Bruder ist wieder da‹, antwortete er ihm. ›Und dein Vater freut sich sehr, dass er ihn wohlbehalten wiederhat. Deshalb hat er das Mastkalb schlachten lassen, und jetzt feiern sie ein großes Fest.‹

28 Der ältere Bruder wurde wütend und wollte nicht ins Haus gehen. Da kam sein Vater zu ihm heraus und redete ihm gut zu: ›Komm und freu dich mit uns!‹ 29 Doch er entgegnete ihm bitter: ›All diese Jahre habe ich mich für dich abgerackert. Alles habe ich getan, was du von mir verlangt hast. Aber nie hast du mir auch nur eine junge Ziege gegeben, damit ich mit meinen Freunden einmal richtig hätte feiern können. 30 Und jetzt, wo dein Sohn zurückkommt, der dein Vermögen mit Huren durchgebracht hat, jetzt lässt du sogar das Mastkalb für ihn schlachten!‹

31 Sein Vater redete ihm zu: ›Mein Sohn, du bist immer bei mir gewesen. Alles, was ich habe, gehört auch dir. 32 Darum komm, wir haben allen Grund, fröhlich zu feiern. Denn dein Bruder war tot, jetzt lebt er wieder. Er war verloren, jetzt ist er wiedergefunden!‹«

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Lukas 15
Neue Genfer Übersetzung

Verloren und wiedergefunden: drei Gleichnisse

15 Jesus war ständig[a] umgeben von Zolleinnehmern und anderen Leuten, die als Sünder galten[b]; sie wollten ihn alle hören. 2 Die Pharisäer und die Schriftgelehrten waren darüber empört. »Dieser Mensch gibt sich mit Sündern ab und isst sogar mit ihnen!«, sagten sie.

Das verlorene und wiedergefundene Schaf

3 Da erzählte ihnen Jesus folgendes Gleichnis: 4 »Angenommen, einer von euch hat hundert Schafe, und eins davon geht ihm verloren. Lässt er da nicht die neunundneunzig in der Steppe zurück und geht dem verlorenen nach, bis er es findet? 5 Und wenn er es gefunden hat, nimmt er es voller Freude auf seine Schultern 6 und trägt es nach Hause. Dann ruft er seine Freunde und Nachbarn zusammen und sagt zu ihnen: ›Freut euch mit mir! Ich habe das Schaf wiedergefunden, das mir verloren gegangen war.‹

7 Ich sage euch: Genauso wird im Himmel mehr Freude sein über einen einzigen Sünder, der umkehrt, als über neunundneunzig Gerechte, die es nicht nötig haben umzukehren.«

Die verlorene und wiedergefundene Münze

8 »Oder wie ist es, wenn eine Frau zehn Silbermünzen[c] hat und eine davon verliert? Zündet sie da nicht eine Lampe an, kehrt das ganze Haus und sucht in allen Ecken, bis sie die Münze gefunden hat? 9 Und wenn sie sie gefunden hat, ruft sie ihre Freundinnen und Nachbarinnen zusammen und sagt: ›Freut euch mit mir! Ich habe die Münze wiedergefunden, die ich verloren hatte.‹

10 Ich sage euch: Genauso freuen sich die Engel Gottes über einen einzigen Sünder, der umkehrt.«

Der verlorene und wiedergefundene Sohn

11 Jesus fuhr fort: »Ein Mann hatte zwei Söhne. 12 Der jüngere sagte zu ihm: ›Vater, gib mir den Anteil am Erbe[d], der mir zusteht!‹ Da teilte der Vater das Vermögen unter die beiden auf. 13 Wenige Tage später hatte der jüngere Sohn seinen ganzen Anteil verkauft und zog mit dem Erlös[e] in ein fernes Land. Dort lebte er in Saus und Braus[f] und brachte sein Vermögen durch.

14 Als er alles aufgebraucht[g] hatte, wurde jenes Land von einer großen Hungersnot heimgesucht. Da geriet auch er in Schwierigkeiten. 15 In seiner Not wandte er sich[h] an einen Bürger des Landes, und dieser schickte ihn zum Schweinehüten auf seine Felder. 16 Er wäre froh gewesen, wenn er seinen Hunger mit den Schoten, die die Schweine fraßen, hätte stillen dürfen[i], doch selbst davon wollte ihm keiner etwas geben.

17 Jetzt kam er zur Besinnung. Er sagte sich: ›Wie viele Tagelöhner hat mein Vater, und alle haben mehr als genug zu essen! Ich dagegen komme hier vor Hunger um. 18 Ich will mich aufmachen und zu meinem Vater gehen und zu ihm sagen: Vater, ich habe mich gegen den Himmel und gegen dich versündigt; 19 ich bin es nicht mehr wert, dein Sohn genannt zu werden. Mach mich zu einem[j] deiner Tagelöhner!‹

20 So machte er sich auf den Weg zu seinem Vater. Dieser sah ihn schon von weitem kommen; voller Mitleid lief er ihm entgegen, fiel ihm um den Hals und küsste ihn. 21 ›Vater‹, sagte der Sohn zu ihm, ›ich habe mich gegen den Himmel und gegen dich versündigt; ich bin es nicht mehr wert, dein Sohn genannt zu werden.‹ 22 Doch der Vater befahl seinen Dienern: ›Schnell, holt das beste Gewand und zieht es ihm an, steckt ihm einen Ring an den Finger und bringt ihm ein Paar Sandalen! 23 Holt das Mastkalb und schlachtet es; wir wollen ein Fest feiern[k] und fröhlich sein. 24 Denn mein Sohn war tot, und nun lebt er wieder; er war verloren, und nun ist er wiedergefunden.‹ Und sie begannen zu feiern.

25 Der ältere Sohn war auf dem Feld gewesen. Als er jetzt zurückkam, hörte er schon von weitem den Lärm von Musik und Tanz. 26 Er rief einen Knecht und erkundigte sich, was das zu bedeuten habe. 27 ›Dein Bruder ist zurückgekommen‹, lautete die Antwort, ›und dein Vater hat das Mastkalb schlachten lassen, weil er ihn wohlbehalten[l] wiederhat.‹ 28 Der ältere Bruder wurde zornig und wollte nicht ins Haus hineingehen. Da kam sein Vater heraus und redete ihm gut zu. 29 Aber er hielt seinem Vater vor: ›So viele Jahre diene ich dir jetzt schon und habe mich nie deinen Anordnungen widersetzt. Und doch hast du mir nie auch nur einen Ziegenbock gegeben, sodass ich mit meinen Freunden hätte feiern können! 30 Und nun kommt dieser Mensch da zurück, dein Sohn, der dein Vermögen mit Huren durchgebracht hat, und du lässt das Mastkalb für ihn schlachten!‹ – 31 ›Kind‹, sagte der Vater zu ihm, ›du bist immer bei mir, und alles, was mir gehört, gehört auch dir. 32 Aber jetzt mussten wir doch feiern und uns freuen[m]; denn dieser hier, dein Bruder, war tot, und nun lebt er wieder; er war verloren, und nun ist er wiedergefunden.‹«

Footnotes

  1. Lukas 15:1 Od war wieder einmal.
  2. Lukas 15:1 W und Sündern.
  3. Lukas 15:8 W Drachmen. Siehe die Sacherklärungen.
  4. Lukas 15:12 W Besitz.
  5. Lukas 15:13 Od Wenige Tage später packte der jüngere Sohn alles zusammen und zog.
  6. Lukas 15:13 Od Dort führte er ein ausschweifendes Leben.
  7. Lukas 15:14 Od verschwendet.
  8. Lukas 15:15 W Er ging und hängte sich.
  9. Lukas 15:16 AL(1) wenn er sich den Magen mit den Schoten … hätte füllen dürfen.
  10. Lukas 15:19 W wie einen.
  11. Lukas 15:23 W wollen essen.
  12. Lukas 15:27 W gesund.
  13. Lukas 15:32 Aü Aber jetzt solltest du doch mitfeiern und dich freuen.
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Luke 15
New King James Version

The Parable of the Lost Sheep(A)

15 Then (B)all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man [a]receives sinners (C)and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

4 (D)“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, (E)‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep (F)which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (G)than over ninety-nine [b]just persons who (H)need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver [c]coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them (I)his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with [d]prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the [e]pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, (J)I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But (K)when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven (L)and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, [f]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 (M)for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, (N)for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:2 welcomes
  2. Luke 15:7 upright
  3. Luke 15:8 Gr. drachma, a valuable coin often worn in a ten-piece garland by married women
  4. Luke 15:13 wasteful
  5. Luke 15:16 carob pods
  6. Luke 15:22 NU Quickly bring
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Luke 15
New English Translation

The Parable of the Lost Sheep and Coin

15 Now all the tax collectors[a] and sinners were coming[b] to hear him. 2 But[c] the Pharisees[d] and the experts in the law[e] were complaining,[f] “This man welcomes[g] sinners and eats with them.”

3 So[h] Jesus[i] told them[j] this parable:[k] 4 “Which one[l] of you, if he has a hundred[m] sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture[n] and go look for[o] the one that is lost until he finds it?[p] 5 Then[q] when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning[r] home, he calls together[s] his[t] friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner[u] who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people[v] who have no need to repent.[w]

8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins[x] and loses[y] one of them,[z] does not light a lamp, sweep[aa] the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? 9 Then[ab] when she has found it, she calls together her[ac] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice[ad] with me, for I have found the coin[ae] that I had lost.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels[af] over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Compassionate Father

11 Then[ag] Jesus[ah] said, “A man had two sons. 12 The[ai] younger of them said to his[aj] father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate[ak] that will belong[al] to me.’ So[am] he divided his[an] assets between them.[ao] 13 After[ap] a few days,[aq] the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered[ar] his wealth[as] with a wild lifestyle. 14 Then[at] after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and worked for[au] one of the citizens of that country, who[av] sent him to his fields to feed pigs.[aw] 16 He[ax] was longing to eat[ay] the carob pods[az] the pigs were eating, but[ba] no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses[bb] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food[bc] enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned[bd] against heaven[be] and against[bf] you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me[bg] like one of your hired workers.”’ 20 So[bh] he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home[bi] his father saw him, and his heart went out to him;[bj] he ran and hugged[bk] his son[bl] and kissed him. 21 Then[bm] his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven[bn] and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[bo] 22 But the father said to his slaves,[bp] ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe,[bq] and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger[br] and sandals[bs] on his feet! 23 Bring[bt] the fattened calf[bu] and kill it! Let us eat[bv] and celebrate, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’[bw] So[bx] they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field. As[by] he came and approached the house, he heard music[bz] and dancing. 26 So[ca] he called one of the slaves[cb] and asked what was happening. 27 The slave replied,[cc] ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf[cd] because he got his son[ce] back safe and sound.’ 28 But the older son[cf] became angry[cg] and refused[ch] to go in. His father came out and appealed to him, 29 but he answered[ci] his father, ‘Look! These many years I have worked like a slave[cj] for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet[ck] you never gave me even a goat[cl] so that I could celebrate with my friends! 30 But when this son of yours[cm] came back, who has devoured[cn] your assets with prostitutes,[co] you killed the fattened calf[cp] for him!’ 31 Then[cq] the father[cr] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours. 32 It was appropriate[cs] to celebrate and be glad, for your brother[ct] was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’”[cu]

Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:1 sn See the note on tax collectors in 3:12.
  2. Luke 15:1 tn Grk “were drawing near.”
  3. Luke 15:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  4. Luke 15:2 sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.
  5. Luke 15:2 tn Or “and the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.
  6. Luke 15:2 tn Or “grumbling”; Grk “were complaining, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  7. Luke 15:2 tn Or “accepts,” “receives.” This is not the first time this issue has been raised: Luke 5:27-32; 7:37-50.
  8. Luke 15:3 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ telling of the parable is in response to the complaints of the Pharisees and experts in the law.
  9. Luke 15:3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  10. Luke 15:3 sn Them means at the minimum the parable is for the leadership, but probably also for those people Jesus accepted, but the leaders regarded as outcasts.
  11. Luke 15:3 tn Grk “parable, saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  12. Luke 15:4 tn Grk “What man.” The Greek word ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used here in a somewhat generic sense.
  13. Luke 15:4 sn This individual with a hundred sheep is a shepherd of modest means, as flocks often had up to two hundred head of sheep.
  14. Luke 15:4 tn Or “desert,” but here such a translation might suggest neglect of the 99 sheep left behind.
  15. Luke 15:4 tn Grk “go after,” but in contemporary English the idiom “to look for” is used to express this.
  16. Luke 15:4 sn Until he finds it. The parable pictures God’s pursuit of the sinner. On the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, see John 10:1-18.
  17. Luke 15:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  18. Luke 15:6 tn Grk “And coming into his…” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  19. Luke 15:6 sn A touch of drama may be present, as the term calls together can mean a formal celebration (1 Kgs 1:9-10).
  20. Luke 15:6 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215). It occurs before “neighbors” as well (“his friends and his neighbors”) but has not been translated the second time because of English style.
  21. Luke 15:7 sn There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The pursuit of the sinner is a priority in spite of the presence of others who are doing well (see also Luke 5:32; 19:10). The theme of repentance, a major Lukan theme, is again emphasized.
  22. Luke 15:7 tn Here δικαίοις (dikaiois) is an adjective functioning substantivally and has been translated “righteous people.”
  23. Luke 15:7 tn Or “who do not need to repent”; Grk “who do not have need of repentance.”
  24. Luke 15:8 sn This silver coin is a drachma, equal to a denarius, that is, a day’s pay for the average laborer.
  25. Luke 15:8 tn Grk “What woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses.” The initial participle ἔχουσα (echousa) has been translated as a finite verb parallel to ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē) in the conditional clause to improve the English style.
  26. Luke 15:8 tn Grk “one coin.”
  27. Luke 15:8 tn Grk “and sweep,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  28. Luke 15:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  29. Luke 15:9 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  30. Luke 15:9 sn Rejoice. Besides the theme of pursuing the lost, the other theme of the parable is the joy of finding them.
  31. Luke 15:9 tn Grk “drachma.”
  32. Luke 15:10 sn The whole of heaven is said to rejoice. Joy in the presence of God’s angels is a way of referring to God’s joy as well without having to name him explicitly. Contemporary Judaism tended to refer to God indirectly where possible out of reverence or respect for the divine name.
  33. Luke 15:11 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  34. Luke 15:11 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  35. Luke 15:12 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  36. Luke 15:12 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  37. Luke 15:12 tn L&N 57.19 notes that in nonbiblical contexts in which the word οὐσία (ousia) occurs, it refers to considerable possessions or wealth, thus “estate.”
  38. Luke 15:12 tn L&N 57.3, “to belong to or come to belong to, with the possible implication of by right or by inheritance.”
  39. Luke 15:12 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the father’s response to the younger son’s request.
  40. Luke 15:12 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  41. Luke 15:12 sn He divided his assets between them. There was advice against doing this in the OT Apocrypha (Sir 33:20). The younger son would get half of what the older son received (Deut 21:17).
  42. Luke 15:13 tn Grk “And after.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  43. Luke 15:13 tn Grk “after not many days.”
  44. Luke 15:13 tn Or “wasted.” This verb is graphic; it means to scatter (L&N 57.151).
  45. Luke 15:13 tn Or “estate” (the same word has been translated “estate” in v. 12).
  46. Luke 15:14 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the sequence of events in the parable. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.
  47. Luke 15:15 tn Grk “joined himself to” (in this case an idiom for beginning to work for someone).
  48. Luke 15:15 tn Grk “and he.” Here the conjunction καί (kai) and the personal pronoun have been translated by a relative pronoun to improve the English style.
  49. Luke 15:15 sn To a Jew, being sent to the field to feed pigs would be an insult, since pigs were considered unclean animals (Lev 11:7).
  50. Luke 15:16 tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  51. Luke 15:16 tn Or “would gladly have eaten”; Grk “was longing to be filled with.”
  52. Luke 15:16 tn This term refers to the edible pods from a carob tree (BDAG 540 s.v. κεράτιον). They were bean-like in nature and were commonly used for fattening pigs, although they were also used for food by poor people (L&N 3.46).
  53. Luke 15:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  54. Luke 15:17 tn Grk “came to himself” (an idiom).
  55. Luke 15:17 tn Grk “bread,” but used figuratively for food of any kind (L&N 5.1).
  56. Luke 15:18 sn In the confession “I have sinned” there is a recognition of wrong that pictures the penitent coming home and “being found.”
  57. Luke 15:18 sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God.
  58. Luke 15:18 tn According to BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνωπιον 4.a, “in relation to ἁμαρτάνειν ἐ. τινος sin against someone Lk 15:18, 21 (cp. Jdth 5:17; 1 Km 7:6; 20:1).”
  59. Luke 15:19 tn Or “make me.” Here is a sign of total humility.
  60. Luke 15:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the son’s decision to return home. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.
  61. Luke 15:20 tn Grk “a long way off from [home].” The word “home” is implied (L&N 85.16).
  62. Luke 15:20 tn Or “felt great affection for him,” “felt great pity for him.”sn The major figure of the parable, the forgiving father, represents God the Father and his compassionate response. God is ready with open arms to welcome the sinner who comes back to him.
  63. Luke 15:20 tn Grk “he fell on his neck,” an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome.
  64. Luke 15:20 tn Grk “him”; the referent (the son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  65. Luke 15:21 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  66. Luke 15:21 sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God. 1st century Judaism tended to minimize use of the divine name out of reverence.
  67. Luke 15:21 sn The younger son launches into his confession just as he had planned. See vv. 18-19.
  68. Luke 15:22 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.
  69. Luke 15:22 sn With the instructions Hurry! Bring the best robe, there is a total acceptance of the younger son back into the home.
  70. Luke 15:22 tn Grk “hand,” but χείρ (cheir) can refer to either the whole hand or any relevant part of it (L&N 8.30).
  71. Luke 15:22 sn The need for sandals underlines the younger son’s previous destitution, because he was barefoot.
  72. Luke 15:23 tn Grk “And bring.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  73. Luke 15:23 tn Or “the prize calf” (L&N 65.8). See also L&N 44.2, “grain-fattened.” Such a calf was usually reserved for religious celebrations.
  74. Luke 15:23 tn The participle φαγόντες (phagontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  75. Luke 15:24 sn This statement links the parable to the theme of 15:6, 9.
  76. Luke 15:24 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the father’s remarks in the preceding verses.
  77. Luke 15:25 tn Grk “And as.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  78. Luke 15:25 sn This would have been primarily instrumental music, but might include singing as well.
  79. Luke 15:26 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the older son hearing the noise of the celebration in progress.
  80. Luke 15:26 tn The Greek term here, παῖς (pais), describes a slave, possibly a household servant regarded with some affection (L&N 87.77).
  81. Luke 15:27 tn Grk “And he said to him.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated. The rest of the phrase has been simplified to “the slave replied,” with the referent (the slave) specified in the translation for clarity.
  82. Luke 15:27 tn See note on the phrase “fattened calf” in v. 23.
  83. Luke 15:27 tn Grk “him”; the referent (the younger son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  84. Luke 15:28 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the older son, v. 25) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  85. Luke 15:28 tn The aorist verb ὠργίσθη (ōrgisthē) has been translated as an ingressive aorist, reflecting entry into a state or condition.
  86. Luke 15:28 sn Ironically the attitude of the older son has left him outside and without joy.
  87. Luke 15:29 tn Grk “but answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “but he answered.”
  88. Luke 15:29 tn Or simply, “have served,” but in the emotional context of the older son’s outburst the translation given is closer to the point.
  89. Luke 15:29 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to bring out the contrast indicated by the context.
  90. Luke 15:29 sn You never gave me even a goat. The older son’s complaint was that the generous treatment of the younger son was not fair: “I can’t get even a little celebration with a basic food staple like a goat!”
  91. Luke 15:30 sn Note the younger son is not “my brother” but this son of yours (an expression with a distinctly pejorative nuance).
  92. Luke 15:30 sn This is another graphic description. The younger son’s consumption had been like a glutton. He had both figuratively and literally devoured the assets which were given to him.
  93. Luke 15:30 sn The charge concerning the prostitutes is unproven, but essentially the older brother accuses the father of committing an injustice by rewarding his younger son’s unrighteous behavior.
  94. Luke 15:30 sn See note on the phrase “fattened calf” in v. 23.
  95. Luke 15:31 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events in the parable.
  96. Luke 15:31 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the father) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  97. Luke 15:32 tn Or “necessary.”
  98. Luke 15:32 sn By referring to him as your brother, the father reminded the older brother that the younger brother was part of the family.
  99. Luke 15:32 sn The theme he was lost and is found is repeated from v. 24. The conclusion is open-ended. The reader is left to ponder with the older son (who pictures the scribes and Pharisees) what the response will be. The parable does not reveal the ultimate response of the older brother. Jesus argued that sinners should be pursued and received back warmly when they returned.
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Luke 15
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The Parable of the Lost Sheep(A)

15 Now the tax collectors(B) and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”(C)

3 Then Jesus told them this parable:(D) 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?(E) 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’(F) 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.(G)

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’(H) 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”(I)

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.(J) 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’(K) So he divided his property(L) between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth(M) in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.(N) 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned(O) against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.(P)

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.(Q) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe(R) and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger(S) and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;(T) he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.(U)

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry(V) and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property(W) with prostitutes(X) comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”(Y)

Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:8 Greek ten drachmas, each worth about a day’s wages
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