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Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/15-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/42_Luk_15_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 15:29 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But he answered his father, 'Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. 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All these years I&#8217ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. <a href="/nlt/luke/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. <a href="/esv/luke/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. <a href="/bsb/luke/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. <a href="/blb/luke/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And answering, he said to his father, 'Behold, so many years I serve you, and never did I disobey a commandment of yours; and never did you give to me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. <a href="/kjv/luke/15.htm">King James Bible</a> And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: <a href="/nkjv/luke/15.htm">New King James Version</a> So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. <a href="/nasb_/luke/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; <a href="/nasb/luke/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But he answered and said to his father, &#8216Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; <a href="/nasb77/luke/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a kid, that I might be merry with my friends; <a href="/lsb/luke/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and never have I neglected a command of yours. And yet never have you given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends. <a href="/amp/luke/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But he said to his father, ‘Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never neglected or disobeyed your command. Yet you have never given me [so much as] a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; <a href="/csb/luke/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. <a href="/hcsb/luke/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But he replied to his father, Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. <a href="/asv/luke/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: <a href="/cev/luke/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But he said to his father, "For years I have worked for you like a slave and have always obeyed you. But you have never even given me a little goat, so that I could give a dinner for my friends. <a href="/erv/luke/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: <a href="/gwt/luke/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But he answered his father, 'All these years I've worked like a slave for you. I've never disobeyed one of your commands. Yet, you've never given me so much as a little goat for a celebration with my friends. <a href="/gnt/luke/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> But he spoke back to his father, 'Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! <a href="/isv/luke/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> But he answered his father, 'Listen! All these years I've worked like a slave for you. I've never disobeyed a command of yours. Yet you've never given me so much as a young goat for a festival so I could celebrate with my friends. <a href="/msb/luke/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But he answered his father, ?Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. <a href="/net/luke/15.htm">NET Bible</a> but he answered his father, 'Look! These many years I have worked like a slave for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet you never gave me even a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends! <a href="/nheb/luke/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. <a href="/wbt/luke/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither have I at any time transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: <a href="/wey/luke/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "'All these years,' replied the son, 'I have been slaving for you, and I have never at any time disobeyed any of your orders, and yet you have never given me so much as a kid, for me to enjoy myself with my friends; <a href="/web/luke/15.htm">World English Bible</a> But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he answering said to the father, Behold, so many years I serve you, and never did I transgress your command, and you never gave to me a kid that I might make merry with my friends; <a href="/blb/luke/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And answering, he said to his father, 'Behold, so many years I serve you, and never did I disobey a commandment of yours; and never did you give to me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. <a href="/ylt/luke/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he answering said to the father, Lo, so many years I do serve thee, and never thy command did I transgress, and to me thou didst never give a kid, that with my friends I might make merry; <a href="/slt/luke/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he having answered said to the father, Behold, so many years I serve thee, and never at any time passed by thy command: and never hast thou given me a kid, that I might be gladdened with my friends.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thy commandment, and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends: <a href="/cpdv/luke/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends. <a href="/nabre/luke/15.htm">New American Bible</a> He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. <a href="/nrsvce/luke/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But he said to his father, Behold, how many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your commandment; and yet you never gave me even a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But he said to his father, “Behold, I have served you for many years of servitude, and I have never transgressed your command, and you never gave a goat to me that I may celebrate with my friends.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But he answered and said to his father, Behold, for so many years do I serve you, and never have I transgressed your commandment, and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. <a href="/godbey/luke/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Behold, I serve thee so many years, and have never transgressed thy commandment: and thou hast never given me a kid, that I may rejoice with my friends:<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years I am serving thee, and never have transgressed thy command: yet to me thou hast never once given a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: <a href="/mace/luke/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a> how many years have I serv'd you, without having ever disobey'd your orders? and yet you never bestow'd a kid upon me, to make merry with my friends: <a href="/wey/luke/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "'All these years,' replied the son, 'I have been slaving for you, and I have never at any time disobeyed any of your orders, and yet you have never given me so much as a kid, for me to enjoy myself with my friends; <a href="/worrell/luke/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>But he, answering, said to his father, 'Behold, so many years do I serve you; and, at no time, did I transgress a command of yours; and you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>But he answered and said to his father, Behold so many years <Fr>as<FR> I serve thee, nor have I ever transgressed thy command, and <Fr>yet<FR> thou hast never given me a kid, to be merry with my friends:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/15-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=6383" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/15.htm">The Parable of the Prodigal Son</a> …28The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: apokritheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">he answered</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patri (N-DMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father,</a> <a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: Idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!">‘Look,</a> <a href="/greek/5118.htm" title="5118: tosauta (DPro-ANP) -- So great, so large, so long, so many. From tosos and houtos; so vast as this, i.e. Such.">all these</a> <a href="/greek/2094.htm" title="2094: etē (N-ANP) -- A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.">years</a> <a href="/greek/1398.htm" title="1398: douleuō (V-PIA-1S) -- To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.">I have served</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3763.htm" title="3763: oudepote (Adv) -- Never. From oude and pote; not even at any time, i.e. Never at all.">never</a> <a href="/greek/3928.htm" title="3928: parēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- From para and erchomai; to come near or aside, i.e. To approach, go by, perish or neglect, avert.">disobeyed</a> <a href="/greek/1785.htm" title="1785: entolēn (N-AFS) -- An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription.">a commandment</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">of yours.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Yet</a> <a href="/greek/3763.htm" title="3763: oudepote (Adv) -- Never. From oude and pote; not even at any time, i.e. Never at all."></a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōkas (V-AIA-2S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">you never gave</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: emoi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">me</a> <a href="/greek/2056.htm" title="2056: eriphon (N-AMS) -- A goat. Perhaps from the same as erion; a kid or goat.">even a young goat</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">so</a> <a href="/greek/2165.htm" title="2165: euphranthō (V-ASP-1S) -- From eu and phren; to put in a good frame of mind, i.e. Rejoice.">I could celebrate</a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: meta (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5384.htm" title="5384: philōn (Adj-GMP) -- Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.">friends.</a> 30But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/20-12.htm">Matthew 20:12</a> ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ <a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">Matthew 21:28-31</a> But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ / ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. / Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. ... <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Galatians 4:29</a> At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now. <a href="/romans/9-31.htm">Romans 9:31-32</a> but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. / Why not? Because their pursuit was not by faith, but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Philippians 3:6</a> as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. <a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39</a> “Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. <a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Romans 10:2-3</a> For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. / Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. <a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20</a> “All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?” <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">Matthew 23:3</a> So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17-23</a> Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ... <a href="/isaiah/65-5.htm">Isaiah 65:5</a> They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-15</a> “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ... <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-23</a> “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he answering said to his father, See, these many years do I serve you, neither transgressed I at any time your commandment: and yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:Lo.<a href="/luke/17-10.htm">Luke 17:10</a> So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.<a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9,11,12,20,21</a> And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: … <a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm">1 Samuel 15:13,14</a> And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD… yet.<a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Luke 15:7</a> I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.<a href="/luke/19-21.htm">Luke 19:21</a> For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.<a href="/malachi/1-12.htm">Malachi 1:12,13</a> But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/15-24.htm">Celebrate</a> <a href="/luke/14-22.htm">Command</a> <a href="/mark/12-31.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-4.htm">Disobeyed</a> <a href="/luke/15-23.htm">Enjoy</a> <a href="/luke/15-9.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/luke/7-45.htm">Gavest</a> <a href="/daniel/8-21.htm">Goat</a> <a href="/ezekiel/45-23.htm">Kid</a> <a href="/luke/15-24.htm">Merry</a> <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Neglected</a> <a href="/luke/14-22.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/luke/14-23.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/luke/12-42.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/luke/8-3.htm">Served</a> <a href="/luke/10-40.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/luke/15-13.htm">Time</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-11.htm">Transgressed</a> <a href="/luke/15-27.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/15-32.htm">Celebrate</a> <a href="/luke/17-6.htm">Command</a> <a href="/luke/23-56.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-18.htm">Disobeyed</a> <a href="/john/5-35.htm">Enjoy</a> <a href="/luke/16-9.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/luke/19-23.htm">Gavest</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-37.htm">Goat</a> <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">Kid</a> <a href="/luke/15-32.htm">Merry</a> <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Neglected</a> <a href="/luke/17-9.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/luke/16-3.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/john/12-2.htm">Served</a> <a href="/john/12-2.htm">Serving</a> <a href="/luke/16-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-4.htm">Transgressed</a> <a href="/luke/15-30.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 15</div>1. <a href="/luke/15-1.htm">The parable of the lost sheep;</a> 8. <a href="/luke/15-8.htm">of the piece of silver;</a> 11. <a href="/luke/15-11.htm">of the prodigal son.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But he answered his father This phrase introduces the elder son's response to his father, highlighting a moment of tension and emotional expression. The elder son represents the Pharisees and religious leaders who were critical of Jesus' association with sinners. This interaction reflects the broader theme of self-righteousness and entitlement, contrasting with the father's grace and forgiveness.Look, all these years I have served you The elder son emphasizes his long-term service and loyalty, which he perceives as meritorious. This reflects the cultural value placed on duty and obedience within a family structure in ancient Jewish society. The elder son’s perspective is transactional, viewing his relationship with his father as one based on works rather than love or grace.and never disobeyed a commandment of yours This claim of perfect obedience mirrors the Pharisaic emphasis on strict adherence to the Law. It echoes the rich young ruler's assertion in <a href="/luke/18-21.htm">Luke 18:21</a>, "All these I have kept since I was a boy." The elder son’s self-assessment reveals a misunderstanding of the father's heart, focusing on legalism rather than relational intimacy.Yet you never gave me even a young goat The elder son’s grievance highlights perceived injustice and lack of reward for his faithfulness. In biblical times, a young goat was considered a modest feast, indicating his desire for recognition and celebration. This contrasts with the father's lavish celebration for the prodigal son, illustrating the theme of grace over merit.so I could celebrate with my friends The desire to celebrate with friends suggests a longing for communal recognition and approval. It underscores the elder son's isolation and lack of understanding of his father's joy in the return of the lost. This reflects the broader biblical theme of rejoicing over repentance, as seen in <a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Luke 15:7</a>, where there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_older_son.htm">The Older Son</a> In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the older son represents those who are outwardly obedient but may harbor resentment and self-righteousness. He is a key figure in understanding the dynamics of grace and works. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a> Symbolizing God, the father in the parable is a figure of unconditional love and forgiveness. His interactions with both sons reveal the depth of divine grace. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_younger_son.htm">The Younger Son</a> Though not directly mentioned in <a href="/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29</a>, the younger son is central to the parable. His return and repentance set the stage for the older son's reaction. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_field.htm">The Field</a> The older son is working in the field when he learns of his brother's return. This setting underscores his diligence and sense of duty. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_celebration.htm">The Celebration</a> The event of the younger son's return and the subsequent celebration highlight themes of repentance, forgiveness, and joy in restoration.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_self-righteousness.htm">Understanding Self-Righteousness</a> The older son's attitude reveals the danger of self-righteousness. Believers must guard against feeling entitled to God's blessings based on their works. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_grace.htm">The Nature of Grace</a> Grace is unearned and freely given. The older son's struggle to accept this mirrors our own challenges in understanding God's grace. <a href="/topical/j/joy_in_repentance.htm">Joy in Repentance</a> The father's joy at the younger son's return should inspire believers to celebrate repentance and restoration, both in their lives and in others'. <a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_service.htm">The Heart of Service</a> Serving God should stem from love and gratitude, not obligation or expectation of reward, as demonstrated by the older son's complaint. <a href="/topical/f/family_and_forgiveness.htm">Family and Forgiveness</a> The parable encourages believers to foster forgiveness and reconciliation within their communities and families.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 15</a> <a href="/q/why_ignore_the_older_brother's_grievances.htm">Why does the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11–32 not address the older brother’s grievances more directly? </a> <a href="/q/is_early_inheritance_to_a_younger_son_plausible.htm">How historically plausible is it for a father to grant an early inheritance to a younger son, as described in Luke 15:11-12?</a> <a href="/q/why_are_followers_called_both_'friends'_and_'servants'.htm">John 15:15: How can Jesus call his followers 'friends' here, yet other scriptures refer to them as 'servants' or 'slaves' (e.g., Romans 1:1)?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_job_stay_faithful_in_suffering.htm">What does 'I Have Called You Friends' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(29) Lo, these many years do I serve thee.--The very word "I serve," as a slave serves, is eminently suggestive. The obedience had all along been servile, prompted by fear and hope, even as the slave's obedience is. The language put into the mouth of the elder son is clearly meant to represent the habitual thoughts of the Pharisees. They are taken, as it were, after our Lord's manner, as seen in the previous parables, at their own valuation of themselves. They are conscious of no transgressions; but in that very unconsciousness lies the secret of the absence of any sense of joy in being forgiven, of any power to sympathise with the joy of others, even of any satisfaction in the service in which they pride themselves. (Comp. Notes on <a href="/context/luke/7-47.htm" title="Why I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.">Luke 7:47-50</a>.) They are scandalised at the gladness which others feel when a penitent returns to God. It seems like an insult and wrong to themselves. Their life has been one of uniform obedience; they have performed their religious duties. Why is so much stir made about those who have fallen as they never fell?<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 29-32. - Lo, these many years do I serve thee. Bengel quaintly comments here, "Serous erat." This was the true nature of this later Jewish service of the Eternal. To them the eternal God was simply a Master. They were slaves who had a hard and difficult task to perform, and for which they looked for a definite payment. Neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment. We have here reproduced the spirit, almost the very words, of the well-known answer of the young man in the gospel story, who was no doubt a promising scion of the Pharisee party: "All these things have I kept from my youth up." The same thought was in the mind, too, of him who thus prayed in the temple: "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are," etc. (<a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Luke 18:11, 12</a>). Yet thou never gavest me a kid... All that I have is thine. Thy brother has the shoes, the ring, the robe, the banquet; thou the inheritance, for all that I have is thine. Why grudge to thy brother an hour of the gladness which has been thine these many years? As soon as this thy son was come,... For this thy brother was dead. The angry elder son will not even acknowledge the prodigal as his brother; with bitter scorn and some disrespect he speaks of him to his father as "thy son." The father throughout the scene is never incensed. He pleads rather than reproaches, and to this insolence he simply retorts, "Thy brother was dead to us, but now - It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad." What was the end of this strange scene? The last words, breathing forgiveness and joy, leave a sweet sense of hope upon the reader that all would yet be well in that divided household, and that the brothers, friends again, would clasp hands before the loving father's eyes. But when Jesus told the parable to the crowds, the story was not yet played out. It depended on the Pharisees and rulers how the scene was to end. What happened at Jerusalem a few weeks later, when the Passion-drama was acted, and some forty years later, when the city was sacked, tells us something of what subsequently happened to the elder son of the Lord's parable. But the end has yet to come. We shall yet see the brothers, Jew and Gentile, clasp hands in loving friendship before the father, when the long-lost elder son comes home. There will be joy then indeed in the presence of the angels of God. <a href="/commentaries/luke/15-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. he answered ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. father, πατρὶ (patri) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. ‘Look, Ἰδοὺ (Idou) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo! all these τοσαῦτα (tosauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5118.htm">Strong's 5118: </a> So great, so large, so long, so many. From tosos and houtos; so vast as this, i.e. Such. years ἔτη (etē) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2094.htm">Strong's 2094: </a> A year. Apparently a primary word; a year. I have served δουλεύω (douleuō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1398.htm">Strong's 1398: </a> To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to. you σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. never οὐδέποτε (oudepote) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3763.htm">Strong's 3763: </a> Never. From oude and pote; not even at any time, i.e. Never at all. disobeyed παρῆλθον (parēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3928.htm">Strong's 3928: </a> From para and erchomai; to come near or aside, i.e. To approach, go by, perish or neglect, avert. a commandment ἐντολήν (entolēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1785.htm">Strong's 1785: </a> An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription. of yours. σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Yet καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you never gave ἔδωκας (edōkas) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. me ἐμοὶ (emoi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [even] a young goat ἔριφον (eriphon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2056.htm">Strong's 2056: </a> A goat. Perhaps from the same as erion; a kid or goat. so ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. I could celebrate εὐφρανθῶ (euphranthō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2165.htm">Strong's 2165: </a> From eu and phren; to put in a good frame of mind, i.e. Rejoice. with μετὰ (meta) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. friends. φίλων (philōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5384.htm">Strong's 5384: </a> Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/15-29.htm">Luke 15:29 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/15-29.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 15:29 But he answered his father 'Behold these (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/15-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 15:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 15:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/15-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 15:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 15:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>