Luke 15:16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Luke 15:16 in other translations
| BSB | He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. |
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| WEB | He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any. |
| ASV | And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. |
| YLT | and he was desirous to fill his belly from the husks that the swine were eating, and no one was giving to him. |
| DARBY | And he longed to fill his belly with the husks which the swine were eating; and no one gave to him. |
| BBE | And so great was his need that he would have been glad to take the pigs' food, and no one gave him anything. |
| Webster | And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave to him. |
What does Luke 15:16 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
The husks. The word husks with us denotes the outward covering of corn. In this there is little nourishment, and it is evident that this is not intended here; but the word used here denotes not only husks, but also leguminous plants, as beans, &c. It is also used to denote the fruit of a tree called the carob or kharub-tree, which is common in Ionia, Syria, and Rhodes. The tree is more bushy and thick-set than the apple-tree, and the leaves are larger and of a much darker green. The following is Dr. Thomson's description of the fruit of this tree (The Land and the Book, vol. i.p. 22):
"The husks-- a mistranslation--are fleshy pods,The cut will give an idea of these pods, or husks as they are called in our translation.
somewhat like those of the locust-tree, from
six to ten inches long and one broad, laid inside
with a gelatinous substance, not wholly unpleasant
to the taste when thoroughly ripe. I have seen
large orchards of this kharub in Cyprus, where it is
still the food which the swine do eat. The kharub is
often called St. John's Bread, and also Locust-tree,
from a mistaken idea about the food of the Baptist in
the wilderness."
No man gave unto him. Some have understood this as meaning "no one gave him anything -- any bread or provisions;" but the connection requires us to understand it of the "husks." He did not go a begging --his master was bound to provide for his wants; but the provision which he made for him was so poor that he would have preferred the food of the swine. He desired a portion of their food, but that was not given him. A certain quantity was measured out for them, and he was not at liberty to eat it himself. Nothing could more strikingly show the evil of his condition, or the deep degradation, and pollution, and wretchedness of sin.
(i) "filled" Is 44:20, Hos 12:1 (k) "the swine did eat" Ps 73:22
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 15:11-16
The parable of the prodigal son shows the nature of repentance, and the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless all who return to him. It fully sets forth the riches of gospel grace; and it has been, and will be, while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, to direct and to encourage them in repenting and returning to God. It is bad, and the beginning of worse, when men look upon God's gifts as debts…
Luke 15:16 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Luke 15:16
- Romans 6:19-21
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
- Hosea 12:1
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
- Isaiah 44:20
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
- Lamentations 4:5
They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.
- Jonah 2:2-8
And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. …
- Isaiah 55:2
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
- Psalms 142:4
I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
- Psalms 73:22
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
- Isaiah 57:3
But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Luke 15:15
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
- Luke 15:16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
- Luke 15:17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Luke 15:16 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y deseaba henchir su vientre de las algarrobas que comían los puercos; mas nadie se las daba. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Et il désirait de remplir son ventre des gousses que les pourceaux mangeaient; et personne ne lui donnait rien. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Und er begehrte, seinen Bauch zu füllen mit den Träbern, welche die Schweine fraßen; und niemand gab ihm. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Et cupiebat implere ventrem suum de siliquis, quas porci manducabant: et nemo illi dabat. |