Luke 15 · Verse 21

Luke 15:21

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Luke 15:21, King James Version

Luke 15:21 in other translations

BSBThe son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
WEBThe son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
ASVAnd the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son.
YLTand the son said to him, Father, I did sin--to the heaven, and before thee, and no more am I worthy to be called thy son.
DARBYAnd the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son.
BBEAnd his son said to him, Father, I have done wrong, against heaven and in your eyes: I am no longer good enough to be named your son.
WebsterAnd the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

What does Luke 15:21 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
21. Father, I have sinned, &c.--"This confession is uttered after the kiss of reconciliation" (Eze 16:63) [Trench].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 21.

(n) "I have sinned" Ps 51:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 21 Make me as one of thy hired servants, is added here by several MSS. and versions; but it is evident this has been added, merely to make his conduct agree with his resolution, Luk 15:19. But by this a very great beauty is lost: for the design of the inspired penman is to show, not merely the depth of the profligate son's repentance, and the sincerity of his conversion, but to show the great affection of the father, and his readiness to forgive his disobedient son. His tenderness of heart cannot wait till the son has made his confession; his bowels yearn over him, and he cuts short his tale of contrition and self-reproach, by giving him the most plenary assurances of his pardoning love. Bring forth the best robe - Bring out that chief garment, την στολην την πρωτην, the garment which was laid by, to be used only on birth-days or festival times. Such as that which Rebecca had laid by for Esau, and which she put on Jacob when she made him personate his brother. See the notes on Gen 27:15. Put a ring on his hand - Giving a ring was in ancient times a mark of honor and dignity. See Gen 41:42; 1Kgs 21:8; Est 8:2; Dan 6:17; Jam 2:2. Shoes on his feet - Formerly those who were captivated had their shoes taken off, Isa 20:1; and when they were restored to liberty their shoes were restored. See 2Chr 28:15. In Bengal, shoes of a superior quality make one of the distinguishing parts of a person's dress. Some of them cost as much as a hundred rupees a pair; 10 or 12. Reference is perhaps made here to some such costly shoes. It is the same among the Chinese: some very costly shoes and boots of that people are now before me.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 15:17-24

Having viewed the prodigal in his abject state of misery, we are next to consider his recovery from it. This begins by his coming to himself. That is a turning point in the sinner's conversion. The Lord opens his eyes, and convinces him of sin; then he views himself and every object, in a different light from what he did before. Thus the convinced sinner perceives that the meanest servant of God is happier than he…

Read the full comment on Luke 15:17-24 →

Luke 15:21 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἶπενeipenSaidG2036
δὲdethenG1161
ὁhotheG3588
υἱὸςhuiossonG5207
αὐτῷ·autōto him:G846
πάτερ,paterFather,G3962
ἥμαρτονhēmartonI have sinnedG264
εἰςeisagainstG1519
τὸνton<the>G3588
οὐρανὸνouranonheavenG3772
καὶkaiandG2532
ἐνώπιόνenōpionbeforeG1799
σου·souyou;G4771
οὐκέτιouketino longerG3756
εἰμὶeimiam IG1510
ἄξιοςaxiosworthyG514
κληθῆναιklēthēnaito be calledG2564
υἱόςhuiossonG5207
σουsouof youG4771

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 15:21

  • Psalms 51:4

    Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

  • Luke 15:18-19

    I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

  • Jeremiah 3:13

    Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:12

    But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

  • Romans 2:4

    Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

  • Psalms 143:2

    And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

  • Ezekiel 16:63

    That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Father.
18,19; Jer 3:13; Eze 16:63; Ro 2:4
against.
Ps 51:4; 143:2; 1Co 8:12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 15:20

    And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

  • Luke 15:21

    And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

  • Luke 15:22

    But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Read all of Luke 15

Luke 15:21 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y el hijo le dijo: Padre, he pecado contra el cielo, y contra ti, y ya no soy digno de ser llamado tu hijo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et le fils lui dit: Père, j’ai péché contre le ciel et devant toi; je ne suis plus digne d’être appelé ton fils.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Sohn aber sprach zu ihm: Vater, ich habe gesündigt gegen den Himmel und vor dir, ich bin nicht mehr würdig, dein Sohn zu heißen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Dixitque ei filius: Pater, peccavi in cælum, et coram te: jam non sum dignus vocari filius tuus.