New International Version“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!
New Living Translation“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
English Standard Version“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
Berean Standard BibleFinally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!
Berean Literal BibleBut having come to himself, he was saying, 'How many of my father's hired servants have abundance of bread, but here I am perishing with hunger?
King James BibleAnd 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!
New King James Version“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!
New American Standard BibleBut when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger!
NASB 1995“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
NASB 1977“But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
Legacy Standard BibleBut when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
Amplified BibleBut when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!
Christian Standard BibleWhen he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!
Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen he came to his senses, he said, How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!
American Standard VersionBut when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
Contemporary English VersionFinally, he came to his senses and said, "My father's workers have plenty to eat, and here I am, starving to death!
English Revised VersionBut when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
GOD'S WORD® Translation"Finally, he came to his senses. He said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more food than they can eat, while I'm starving to death here?
Good News TranslationAt last he came to his senses and said, 'All my father's hired workers have more than they can eat, and here I am about to starve!
International Standard Version"Then he came to his senses and said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more food than they can eat, and here I am starving to death!
NET BibleBut when he came to his senses he said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger!
New Heart English BibleBut when he came to himself he said, 'How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough to spare, and I'm dying here with hunger.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!
Weymouth New Testament"But on coming to himself he said, "'How many of my father's hired men have more bread than they want, while I here am dying of hunger! Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFinally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but I am starving to death!
World English BibleBut when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd having come to himself, he said, How many hired workers of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I am perishing here with hunger!
Berean Literal BibleBut having come to himself, he was saying, 'How many of my father's hired servants have abundance of bread, but here I am perishing with hunger?
Young's Literal Translation 'And having come to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I here with hunger am perishing!
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd having come to himself, he said, Many hired of my father abound in loaves, and I am perishing with hunger! Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger?
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine!
New American BibleComing to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.
New Revised Standard VersionBut when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when he came to himself, he said, How many hired workers are now in my father’s house, who have plenty of bread, and I am here perishing with hunger!
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd when he came to himself, he said, 'Now, how many hired servants are in my father's house who have plenteous bread for themselves, and here I am dying with hunger!' NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!
Godbey New Testamentand having come to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread in abundance, but here I perish with hunger!
Haweis New Testament
Then coming to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father abound with loaves of bread, and I am pining away with famine!
Mace New Testament
at length coming to himself, how many, said he, does my father keep in pay, who have bread in abundance, whilst I am dying here with hunger?
Weymouth New Testament
"But on coming to himself he said, "'How many of my father's hired men have more bread than they want, while I here am dying of hunger!
Worrell New Testament
But, coming to himself, he said, 'How many hired servants of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I am perishing here with hunger!
Worsley New Testament
But coming to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger?
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Parable of the Prodigal Son… 16He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. 17Finallyhe cametohis sensesand said,‘How manyofmyfather’shired servantshave plentyof food?ButhereI am,starvingto death!18I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.…
Cross References Matthew 5:3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Romans 7:24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Psalm 51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
2 Corinthians 7:10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Jeremiah 31:18-19I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
Matthew 11:28Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Ezekiel 18:27-28But if a wicked man turns from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. / Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die.
James 4:8-10Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. / Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. / Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Hosea 14:1-2Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.
1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Joel 2:12-13“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
Acts 2:37-38When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” / Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 32:5Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
Treasury of Scripture 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! when. Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Psalm 73:20 As a dream whenone awaketh;so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. How. 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, … Lamentations 1:7 Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her,and did mock at her sabbaths. Jump to Previous AbundanceBreadDeathDyingEnoughFamineFather'sFoodHiredHirelingsHowHungerI'mNeedNumbersPerishPerishingSensesServantsSpareStarvingSuperabundanceWantJump to Next AbundanceBreadDeathDyingEnoughFamineFather'sFoodHiredHirelingsHowHungerI'mNeedNumbersPerishPerishingSensesServantsSpareStarvingSuperabundanceWantLuke 15 1.The parable of the lost sheep;8.of the piece of silver;11.of the prodigal son.Finally he came to his sensesThis phrase marks a pivotal moment of realization and repentance. In the context of the parable, the prodigal son recognizes his dire situation, symbolizing a sinner's acknowledgment of their spiritual poverty. This turning point is akin to the biblical concept of repentance, where one turns away from sin and towards God. The phrase echoes the call to self-examination found in 2 Corinthians 13:5, urging believers to assess their spiritual state. and said,
The act of speaking to oneself here indicates an internal dialogue and decision-making process. This introspection is crucial in the journey of repentance and mirrors the biblical theme of confession, as seen in 1John 1:9, where acknowledging one's sins is the first step towards forgiveness and restoration. ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food,
This comparison highlights the abundance and provision found in the father's house, symbolizing God's kingdom. The hired servants, who are not family members, still receive ample provision, illustrating God's grace and generosity. This abundance contrasts with the son's current lack, emphasizing the spiritual richness available to those who return to God. The imagery of a well-provided household reflects the blessings described inPsalm 23:1, where the Lord is portrayed as a shepherd who meets all needs. but here I am,
The phrase underscores the son's current state of destitution and isolation, a result of his choices. It reflects the human condition of separation from God due to sin, as described inIsaiah 59:2. This acknowledgment of one's fallen state is essential for genuine repentance and reconciliation with God. starving to death!
The physical hunger experienced by the son symbolizes spiritual starvation and the emptiness of a life apart from God. This dire situation serves as a metaphor for the consequences of sin, which leads to spiritual death, as stated inRomans 6:23. The son's desperation highlights the urgency of returning to the father, paralleling the call to seek God while He may be found, as urged inIsaiah 55:6. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Prodigal SonA young man who squandered his inheritance in reckless living and found himself in dire need. 2. The FatherRepresents God, who is loving and forgiving, waiting for the return of his lost son. 3. Hired ServantsWorkers in the father's household who have their needs met, symbolizing the provision and care of God. 4. The Far CountryRepresents a life lived away from God, characterized by sin and spiritual famine. 5. The Moment of RealizationThe turning point where the prodigal son recognizes his dire situation and decides to return to his father. Teaching Points Realization of NeedRecognize the emptiness of a life lived apart from God. The prodigal son's realization is a call for self-examination. Repentance and ReturnTrue repentance involves a change of mind and direction, as seen in the son's decision to return to his father. God's ProvisionTrust in God's provision and care, as the father provides for his servants. This reflects God's abundant grace. The Consequences of SinUnderstand the consequences of living in sin, which leads to spiritual starvation and separation from God. The Father's LoveEmbrace the unconditional love and forgiveness of God, who eagerly awaits our return. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Luke 15:17?
2.How does Luke 15:17 illustrate the importance of self-reflection in repentance?
3.What role does "coming to his senses" play in the prodigal son's transformation?
4.How can we apply the prodigal son's realization to our spiritual journey today?
5.What scriptural connections exist between Luke 15:17 and other repentance teachings in the Bible?
6.How can recognizing our spiritual poverty lead to a deeper relationship with God?
7.What does "he came to his senses" in Luke 15:17 reveal about human repentance?
8.How does Luke 15:17 challenge our understanding of self-awareness and spiritual awakening?
9.What historical context influences the interpretation of Luke 15:17?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 15?
11.What lessons does the Prodigal Son teach about forgiveness?
12.Is Alcoholics Anonymous aligned with biblical teachings?
13.How can I seek forgiveness and make amends?
14.What does the Bible say about self-awareness?What Does Luke 15:17 Mean Finally• The son’s journey moves from reckless freedom to a dead end; this single word marks a long-awaited turning point (Psalm 73:21–24). • God often permits consequences to run their course before the breakthrough comes (Judges 10:15–16;Jonah 2:7). • The father’s patience in the parable mirrors the Lord’s patience with sinners, “not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
he came to his senses• Sin clouds judgment; repentance clears it. This moment is the literal awakening of an enslaved mind (Ephesians 2:1–5). • The Spirit convicts, opening eyes to reality (John 16:8;Acts 26:18). • True repentance always begins inside before it shows outside (Isaiah 55:7;2 Corinthians 7:10).
and said,• Repentance becomes real when it is confessed, not merely felt (Romans 10:10;1 John 1:9). • Talking to himself prepares him to talk to his father; private honesty precedes public humility (Psalm 32:5). • His words prove he now trusts his father’s character more than his own schemes (Proverbs 3:5–6).
‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food,• He recalls the father’s generous provision even for non-family workers—evidence of the father’s goodness (Psalm 145:15–16;James 1:17). • The contrast underscores the folly of leaving such abundance (Jeremiah 2:13;John 10:10). • Recognizing the father’s kindness draws him homeward (Romans 2:4).
but here I am, starving to death!• Sin’s wages are unmistakable: isolation, lack, and impending death (Romans 6:23;Proverbs 13:15). • Personal responsibility—“here I am”—replaces blame-shifting (Luke 18:13;Isaiah 6:5). • Desperation often becomes the doorway to deliverance (2 Chronicles 20:12;Matthew 5:3).
summaryLuke 15:17 records the prodigal’s pivotal awakening: after exhausting the empty promises of sin, he remembers his father’s consistent goodness, admits the ruin he brought on himself, and prepares to return. The verse illustrates the gracious process of repentance—God’s patience, the Spirit’s conviction, honest self-assessment, and a resolve to seek the Father whose abundance never runs dry. (17) And when he came to himself.--The phrase is wonderfully suggestive. The man's guilt was, that he had been self-indulgent; but he had been living to a self which was not his true self. The first step in his repentance is to wake as out of an evil dream, and to be conscious of his better nature, and then there comes the memory of happier days which is as "Sorrow's crown of sorrow." The "hired servants" are obviously those who serve God, not in the spirit of filial love, but from the hope of a reward. Even in that lower form of duty they find what satisfies their wants. They have not the craving of unsatisfied desire which the son feels who has cast away his sonship. He envies them, and would fain be as they are. Verse 17. - And when he came to himself. This tardy repentance in the famous parable has been the occasion of many a sneer from the world. Even satiety, even soul-hunger, did not bring the prodigal to penitence; nothing but absolute bodily suffering, cruel hunger, drove him to take the step which in the end saved him. There is no doubt it would have been far more noble on the young man's part if, in the midst of his downhill career, he had suddenly paused, and, with a mighty and continued effort of self-control, had turned to purity, to duty, and to God. Certainly this had been hereto conduct - a term no one would think of applying to anything belonging to the life of the younger son of our story. But though not heroic, is not the conduct of the prodigal just what is of daily occurrence in common life? The world may sneer; but is not such a repentance, after all, a blessed thing? It is a poor mean way, some would tell us, of creeping into heaven; but is it not better to enter into God's city even thus, with bowed head, than not at all? Is it not better to consecrate a few months, or perhaps years, of a wasted life to God's service, to noble generous deeds, to brave attempts to undo past mischief and neglect, than to go sinning on to the bitter end? There is something intensely sorrowful in this consecrating to the Master the end of a sin-worn life; but there is what is infinitely worse. What a deep well, too, of comfort has the Church-taught teacher here to draw from in his weary life-experiences! How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! Among the bitternesses of his present degradation, not the least was the memory of his happy childhood and boyhood in his old home. "For a sorrow's crown of sorrows
Is remembering happier things." The family of the prodigal, as we have already remarked, was certainly possessed of wealth, and was probably one of high rank. In the old home there was nothing wanting.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Finallyδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.he cameἐλθὼν(elthōn)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2064:To come, go.toΕἰς(Eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.his sensesἑαυτὸν(heauton)Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438:Himself, herself, itself.[and] said,ἔφη(ephē)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5346:To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say.‘How manyΠόσοι(Posoi)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4214:How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).ofτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.myμου(mou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.father’sπατρός(patros)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.hired servantsμίσθιοι(misthioi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3407:A paid worker, hired servant, hireling (contrasted with a slave). From misthos; a wage-earner.have plentyπερισσεύονται(perisseuontai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4052:From perissos; to superabound, be in excess, be superfluous; also to cause to superabound or excel.of food?ἄρτων(artōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 740:Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.hereὧδε(hōde)Adverb
Strong's 5602:From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.I {am},ἐγὼ(egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.starvingλιμῷ(limō)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3042:A famine, hunger. Probably from leipo; a scarcity of food.to death!ἀπόλλυμαι(apollymai)Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 622:From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.
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NT Gospels: Luke 15:17 But when he came to himself he (Luke Lu Lk) |
