God’s Word Translation
Luke 15:12
12The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the property.’ So the father divided his property between his two sons.
Luke 15:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
- New International Version (NIV)The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.
Context of Luke 15:12
10So I can guarantee that God’s angels are happy about one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts.” 11Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the property.’ So the father divided his property between his two sons. 13“After a few days, the younger son gathered his possessions and left for a country far away from home. There he wasted everything he had on a wild lifestyle. 14He had nothing left when a severe famine spread throughout that country. He had nothing to live on.
Read all of Luke 15Luke 15:12 word by word
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν τῷ πατρί· πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας. ὁ δὲ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- the youngerνέοςneos neōteros · newG3501
- of themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- toπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
- giveδίδωμιdidōmi · to giveG1325
- meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- the portionμέροςmeros · partG3313
- of goodsοὐσίαousia · estateG3776
- that fallethἐπιβάλλωepiballō · to put on/seizeG1911
- he dividedδιαιρέωdiaireō · to distributeG1244
- livingβίοςbios · lifeG979
Cross-references for Luke 15:12
- Deuteronomy 21:16When the day comes for the father to give his sons their inheritance, he can’t treat the son of the wife he loves as if that son were the firstborn. This would show a total disregard for the real firstborn (the son of the wife he doesn’t love).
- Psalms 16:5The Lord is my inheritance and my cup. You are the one who determines my destiny.
- Psalms 17:14With your power rescue me from mortals, O Lord, from mortals who enjoy their inheritance only in this life. You fill their bellies with your treasure. Their children are satisfied ⌞with it⌟, and they leave what remains to their children.
- Mark 12:44All of them have given what they could spare. But she, in her poverty, has given everything she had to live on.”
Commentaries on Luke 15:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Give me the portion of goods - It may seem strange that such a demand should be made, and that the parent should have acceded to it, when he knew that it was to minister to his debauches that his profligate son made the demand here specified. But the matter will appear plain, when it is considered, that it has been an immemorial custom in the east for sons to demand and receive their portion of the inheritance during their father's lifetime; and the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12And the younger of them said - By this younger son we are to understand the publicans and sinners to be represented. By the older, the Pharisees and scribes. Give me the portion - The part. Of goods - Of property. That falleth to me - That is properly my share. There is no impropriety in supposing that he was of age; and, as he chose to leave his father‘s house, it was proper that his father should, if he chose, give him the part of the estate which would…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-16Verses 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 due to them. The great folly…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12give me my share of the estate: At this time, this shocking request would basically mean, “To me, you are dead.” He could not say anything more insulting to his father.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-3212. the younger--as the more thoughtless. said, &c.--weary of restraint, panting for independence, unable longer to abide the check of a father's eye. This is man impatient of divine control, desiring to be independent of God, seeking to be his own master; that "sin of sins, in which all subsequent sins are included as in their germ, for they are but the unfolding of this one" [Trench]. he divided, &c.--Thus "God, when His service no longer appears a…Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 15:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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