The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke 15

11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me m the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided n his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in o reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to 1 one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he p was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 "But q when he r came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, s I have sinned against t heaven and before you. 19 u I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and v ran and w embraced him and x kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. u I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 2 22 But the father said to his servants, 3 'Bring quickly y the best robe, and put it on him, and put z a ring on his hand, and a shoes on his feet. 23 And bring b the fattened calf and kill it, and c let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son d was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

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 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might e celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, f who has devoured g your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, h you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting e to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother i was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

  1. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 21:17
    But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 15:30
    But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!
    Mark 12:44
    For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.
  3. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:18
    And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
    Titus 1:6
    If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
    1 Peter 4:4
    With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 16:21
    Who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
  5. Cross References
    1 Kings 8:47
    Yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors, saying, 'We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 12:11
    When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.
  7. Cross References
    Exodus 10:16
    Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 21:25
    The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?
    John 3:27
    John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 7:6 - 7
    And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.
  10. Cross References
    James 4:8
    Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
  11. Cross References
    Genesis 33:4
    But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
    Acts 20:37
    And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him.
  12. Cross References
    2 Samuel 14:33
    Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.
  13. Cross References
    Luke 15:19
    I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."
  14. Cross References
    Zechariah 3:3 - 5
    Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 41:42
    Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.
    Esther 3:10
    So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews.
    Esther 8:2
    And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
  16. Cross References
    Ezekiel 16:10
    I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
  17. Cross References
    1 Samuel 28:24
    Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it.
  18. Cross References
    Luke 12:19
    And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.
  19. Cross References
    Luke 15:32
    It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'
    Romans 11:15
    For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?
    Ephesians 2:1
    And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
    Colossians 2:13
    And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
    Revelation 3:1
    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
  20. Cross References
    Luke 15:23
    And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
  21. Cross References
    Proverbs 29:3
    He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 15:12
    And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.
  23. Cross References
    John 8:35
    The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
  24. Cross References
    Luke 15:29
    But he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
  25. Cross References
    Luke 15:24
    For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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