New International Version“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
New Living TranslationHis son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
English Standard VersionAnd the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Berean Standard BibleThe son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Berean Literal BibleAnd the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; no longer am I worthy to be called your son.'
King James BibleAnd 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.
New King James VersionAnd the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
New American Standard BibleAnd the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
NASB 1995“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
NASB 1977“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Legacy Standard BibleAnd the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Amplified BibleAnd the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Christian Standard BibleThe son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’
American Standard VersionAnd 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.
Contemporary English VersionThe son said, "Father, I have sinned against God in heaven and against you. I am no longer good enough to be called your son."
English Revised VersionAnd 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen his son said to him, 'Father, I've sinned against heaven and you. I don't deserve to be called your son anymore.'
Good News Translation'Father,' the son said, 'I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.'
International Standard VersionThen his son told him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and you. I don't deserve to be called your son anymore.'
NET BibleThen his son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
New Heart English BibleThe son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd 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.
Weymouth New Testament"'Father,' cried the son, 'I have sinned against Heaven and before you: no longer do I deserve to be called a son of yours.' Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
World English BibleThe son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the son said to him, Father, I sinned—to Heaven, and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
Berean Literal BibleAnd the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; no longer am I worthy to be called your son.'
Young's Literal Translation and 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.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the son said to him, Father, I sinned against heaven, and before thee, and I am no more worthy to be called thy son. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am not now worthy to be called thy son.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.’
New American BibleHis son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
New Revised Standard VersionThen the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd his son said to him, My father, I have sinned before heaven and before you, and I am not worthy to be called your son.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd his son said to him, “My father, I have sinned toward Heaven and before you, and I am not worthy that I should be called your son.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut his son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.
Godbey New TestamentAnd the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: and I am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Haweis New Testament
Then said the son unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Mace New Testament
then the son said to him, father, I have sinned against heaven, and against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
Weymouth New Testament
"'Father,' cried the son, 'I have sinned against Heaven and before you: no longer do I deserve to be called a son of yours.'
Worrell New Testament
And the son said to the father, 'Father, I sinned against Heaven, and before you; no longer am I worthy to be called your son!'
Worsley New Testament
Andhis son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no longer worthy to be called thy son.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Parable of the Prodigal Son… 20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21Thesondeclared,‘Father,I have sinnedagainstheavenandagainstyou.I amno longerworthyto be calledyourson.’22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.…
Cross References Matthew 18:21-35Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! / Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ...
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.
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.
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.
Psalm 51:1-4For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...
2 Corinthians 7:10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
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.
Romans 2:4Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Jeremiah 3:12-13Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. / Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD.
Acts 3:19Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
Ezekiel 18:30-32Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!
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.
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
1 Timothy 1:15This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
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 the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your son. Father. 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, … 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. 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. against. Psalm 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and donethis evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,and be clear when thou judgest. Psalm 143:2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. 1 Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Jump to Previous CriedDeserveEnoughEyesFatherGoodHeavenLongerSightSinSinnedWorthyWrongJump to Next CriedDeserveEnoughEyesFatherGoodHeavenLongerSightSinSinnedWorthyWrongLuke 15 1.The parable of the lost sheep;8.of the piece of silver;11.of the prodigal son.The son declaredThis phrase indicates a moment of confession and humility. The son, representing a repentant sinner, acknowledges his wrongdoing. In the cultural context of the time, a son addressing his father in such a manner would signify deep respect and recognition of authority. This declaration is a pivotal moment in the parable, illustrating the beginning of reconciliation. ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
The use of "Father" signifies a personal relationship, emphasizing the familial bond that has been strained by the son's actions. "Sinned against heaven" reflects a Jewish understanding of sin as an offense against God, aligning withPsalm 51:4, where David acknowledges his sin against God. The dual confession "against heaven and against you" underscores the gravity of his actions, affecting both divine and human relationships. This mirrors the biblical principle that sin often has both vertical (Godward) and horizontal (manward) dimensions. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
This statement reveals the son's deep sense of unworthiness and repentance. In the cultural context, a son who squandered his inheritance would be seen as having brought shame upon his family, potentially leading to disownment. The son's acknowledgment of his unworthiness is a critical step in the process of repentance, aligning with the biblical theme of humility before restoration, as seen inJames 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." This phrase also foreshadows the grace and forgiveness that the father, representing God, is about to extend, highlighting the theme of redemption and restoration. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Prodigal SonA young man who squandered his inheritance in reckless living and returned to his father in repentance. 2. The FatherRepresents God, who is loving and forgiving, welcoming the repentant son back with open arms. 3. The Far CountrySymbolizes a life of sin and separation from God, where the prodigal son wasted his inheritance. 4. The ReturnThe pivotal event where the son acknowledges his sin and returns to his father, seeking forgiveness. 5. The ConfessionThe son's admission of sin against heaven and his father, highlighting his repentance and humility. Teaching Points Repentance is KeyTrue repentance involves acknowledging our sins and turning back to God, as demonstrated by the prodigal son. God's Unconditional LoveThe father's response shows that God's love and forgiveness are always available, regardless of our past. Humility Before GodThe son's admission of unworthiness teaches us the importance of approaching God with humility. Restoration and ReconciliationGod desires to restore and reconcile us to Himself, just as the father restored his son to his family. The Joy of ReturnThere is great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, reflecting the father's joy at his son's return. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Luke 15:21?
2.How does Luke 15:21 illustrate the importance of repentance in Christian life?
3.What does the son's confession reveal about humility and acknowledgment of sin?
4.How can we apply the father's response to our own forgiveness practices?
5.Connect Luke 15:21 with 1 John 1:9 on confessing sins.
6.How does the son's attitude in Luke 15:21 guide our prayer of repentance?
7.How does Luke 15:21 illustrate the concept of repentance and forgiveness in Christianity?
8.What is the significance of the son's confession in Luke 15:21?
9.How does Luke 15:21 reflect the nature of God's grace?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 15?
11.What happens when a wayward son returns home?
12.What does the Bible say about confession and forgiveness?
13.Is confessing sins necessary for divine forgiveness?
14.How does confession lead to forgiveness and healing?What Does Luke 15:21 Mean The son declared• The young man has just returned from the distant country (Luke 15:20) and now chooses transparency over silence. • His willingness to speak echoesPsalm 32:5 — “I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity.” • True repentance is never merely felt; it is voiced (Romans 10:10). Openness with the Father is the first tangible step home.
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you• By addressing God first (“heaven”), he admits that every offense is ultimately vertical (Psalm 51:4;Genesis 39:9). • By adding “and against you,” he faces the personal damage done to his earthly relationship, modelingMatthew 5:23-24. • No excuses appear. He owns the rebellion described earlier inLuke 15:13-14, aligning with1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.”
I am no longer worthy to be called your son• The prodigal measures his worthiness by performance and sees only failure (Isaiah 64:6;Romans 3:23). • He does not bargain for rights but throws himself on mercy, mirroring the tax collector’s posture inLuke 18:13. • Ironically, his unworthiness becomes the doorway to grace; the Father will restore sonship purely out of love (Ephesians 2:4-5).
summaryConfession spoken, sin admitted both God-ward and man-ward, and unworthiness acknowledged—Luke 15:21 paints a full picture of repentance. The verse reminds us that honest words, humble hearts, and a clear view of our need set the stage for the Father’s overwhelming forgiveness and restoration. (21) Father, I have sinned against heaven.--The iteration of the self-same words comes to us with a wonderful power and pathos. The contrite soul does not play with its contrition, or seek to vary its expression. But the change is as suggestive as the repetition. Now that he has seen his father, he cannot bring himself to say again, "Make me as one of thy hired servants." That had been a natural and right wish before; it would savour of unreality and hypocrisy now. This also has its analogue in the history of true penitents. In the first stirrings of contrition they stand afar off, and as they confess their sins hardly dare to hope for restoration to the blessedness of sons; but when they have felt the Father's kiss, though still confessing that they are unworthy to be called sons, they cannot be satisfied with anything less than sonship. Verse 21. - Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Many, though not all, of the older authorities add here (apparently taking them from ver. 19) the words, "make me as one of thy hired (servants)." The selfsame words of store original resolution are repeated. They had been stamped deep into the sad heart which so intensely desired a return to the old quiet, pure home-life; but now in his father's presence he feels all is forgiven and forgotten, therefore he no longer asks to be made as one of the servants. He feels that great love will be satisfied with nothing less than restoring him, the erring one, to all the glories and happiness of the old life.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative 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.sonυἱὸς(huios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207:A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.declared,Εἶπεν(Eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.‘Father,Πάτερ(Pater)Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.I have sinnedἥμαρτον(hēmarton)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 264:Perhaps from a and the base of meros; properly, to miss the mark, i.e. to err, especially to sin.againstεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.heavenοὐρανὸν(ouranon)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772:Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.againstἐνώπιόν(enōpion)Preposition
Strong's 1799:Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.you.σου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.I amεἰμὶ(eimi)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.no longerοὐκέτι(ouketi)Adverb
Strong's 3765:No longer, no more. Also ouk eti from ou and eti; not yet, no longer.worthyἄξιος(axios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 514:Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable.to be calledκληθῆναι(klēthēnai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 2564:(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.son.’υἱός(huios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207:A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.
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NT Gospels: Luke 15:21 The son said to him 'Father (Luke Lu Lk) |
