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Luke 15:14 After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
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and he began to be in want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without <i>and</i> be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He had nothing left when a severe famine spread throughout that country. He had nothing to live on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />After he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he having spent all, there came a mighty famine on that country, and himself began to be in want;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But of him having spent all, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he having spent all, there came a mighty famine on that country, and himself began to be in want;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And having spent all things, a powerful famine was in that country; and he began to be in want.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when all he had was gone, there was a severe famine in that country; and he began to be in need.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“And when he had spent everything that he had, there was a great famine in that country and he began to be wanting.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />When he had spent all, there was a great famine throughout that country, and he began to be in want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And he having expended all, a severe famine came into that country; and he began to be in want.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But when he had spent all, there came a terrible famine in that region; and he began to know want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />when he had spent all, there happen'd to be a severe famine in that country;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And, when he spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>And when he had spent all, there happen'd a grievous famine in that country, and he began to be in want.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/15-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=6253" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/15.htm">The Parable of the Prodigal Son</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">After</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.">he</a> <a href="/greek/1159.htm" title="1159: Dapanēsantos (V-APA-GMS) -- To spend, bear expense, waste, squander. From dapane; to expend, i.e. to incur cost, or to waste.">had spent</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all he had,</a> <a href="/greek/2478.htm" title="2478: ischyra (Adj-NFS) -- Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.">a severe</a> <a href="/greek/3042.htm" title="3042: limos (N-NFS) -- A famine, hunger. Probably from leipo; a scarcity of food.">famine</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: egeneto (V-AIM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">swept</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">through</a> <a href="/greek/1565.htm" title="1565: ekeinēn (DPro-AFS) -- That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5561.htm" title="5561: chōran (N-AFS) -- Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory.">country,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">he</a> <a href="/greek/756.htm" title="756: ērxato (V-AIM-3S) -- To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.">began</a> <a href="/greek/5302.htm" title="5302: hystereisthai (V-PNM/P) -- From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.">to be in need.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">15</span>So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Proverbs 23:21</a></span><br />For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-10.htm">Joel 1:10-12</a></span><br />The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails. / Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. / The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-30.htm">Genesis 41:30-31</a></span><br />but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land. / The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-25.htm">2 Kings 6:25</a></span><br />So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-16.htm">Ezekiel 4:16-17</a></span><br />Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. / So they will lack food and water; they will be appalled at the sight of one another wasting away in their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Isaiah 3:1</a></span><br />For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-1.htm">Jeremiah 14:1-6</a></span><br />This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: / “Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. / The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4-9</a></span><br />The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. / Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those brought up in crimson huddle in ash heaps. / The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand turned to help her. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a></span><br />You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-8.htm">Matthew 25:8-9</a></span><br />The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ / ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-2.htm">Mark 8:2-3</a></span><br />“I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. / If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-35.htm">Romans 8:35</a></span><br />Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-11.htm">1 Corinthians 4:11</a></span><br />To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.</p><p class="hdg">arose.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">2 Chronicles 33:11</a></b></br> Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-27.htm">Ezekiel 16:27</a></b></br> Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary <i>food</i>, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/2-9.htm">Hosea 2:9-14</a></b></br> Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax <i>given</i> to cover her nakedness… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/15-13.htm">Country</a> <a href="/luke/4-26.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/luke/8-46.htm">Feel</a> <a href="/luke/15-2.htm">Food</a> <a href="/luke/14-32.htm">Great</a> <a href="/malachi/1-4.htm">Impoverished</a> <a href="/luke/13-30.htm">Last</a> <a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Need</a> <a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Occurred</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-8.htm">Pinch</a> <a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/luke/8-43.htm">Spent</a> <a href="/luke/7-1.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/luke/9-6.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/luke/4-38.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/luke/9-61.htm">Want</a> <a href="/luke/13-21.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/15-15.htm">Country</a> <a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/luke/24-39.htm">Feel</a> <a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Food</a> <a href="/luke/15-16.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/45-11.htm">Impoverished</a> <a href="/luke/20-32.htm">Last</a> <a href="/luke/19-37.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/luke/15-16.htm">Need</a> <a href="/luke/23-19.htm">Occurred</a> <a href="/leviticus/1-15.htm">Pinch</a> <a href="/luke/19-21.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/luke/24-29.htm">Spent</a> <a href="/luke/21-11.htm">Terrible</a> <a href="/luke/23-5.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/luke/23-5.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Want</a> <a href="/luke/17-19.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/15-1.htm">The parable of the lost sheep;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/15-8.htm">of the piece of silver;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/15-11.htm">of the prodigal son.</a></span><br></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'; 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In biblical times, inheritance was a significant part of one's identity and security. By squandering his inheritance, the son not only loses his wealth but also his social standing and future security. This reflects the spiritual state of humanity when it turns away from God, squandering the spiritual inheritance given by the Father. The act of spending all he had can be seen as a metaphor for living a life apart from God's wisdom and guidance, leading to spiritual bankruptcy.<p><b>a severe famine swept through that country</b><br>Famines were common in the ancient Near East and often seen as divine judgment or a test of faith. In the Old Testament, famines frequently drove people to seek God's provision, as seen in the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph. The famine in this parable serves as a catalyst for the son's realization of his dire situation. It symbolizes the spiritual emptiness and desperation that result from a life lived apart from God. The famine also underscores the unpredictability of life and the futility of relying solely on material wealth.<p><b>and he began to be in need</b><br>This phrase marks the turning point in the prodigal son's journey. His physical need mirrors his spiritual need, highlighting the insufficiency of worldly pleasures and wealth to satisfy the deeper needs of the soul. In biblical terms, need often drives individuals to seek God, as seen in the Beatitudes where Jesus blesses those who recognize their spiritual poverty. The son's need foreshadows his eventual repentance and return to the father, illustrating the concept of spiritual awakening and the beginning of redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_prodigal_son.htm">The Prodigal Son</a></b><br>A young man who demands his inheritance early, leaves his father's house, and squanders his wealth in a distant country.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_distant_country.htm">The Distant Country</a></b><br>Represents a place far from the father's house, symbolizing separation from God and a life of sin.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_severe_famine.htm">The Severe Famine</a></b><br>A significant event that highlights the consequences of the prodigal son's choices, leading to his realization of need.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_father's_house.htm">The Father's House</a></b><br>Symbolizes God's presence, provision, and grace, contrasting with the distant country.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_citizens_of_the_country.htm">The Citizens of the Country</a></b><br>Represent worldly influences and false security that fail to provide true sustenance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sinful_choices.htm">Consequences of Sinful Choices</a></b><br>The prodigal son's experience teaches that living apart from God leads to spiritual and physical poverty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_trials.htm">God's Sovereignty in Trials</a></b><br>The famine serves as a divine tool to bring the son to repentance, showing God's control over circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_worldly_security.htm">The Illusion of Worldly Security</a></b><br>The distant country and its citizens fail to provide true security, reminding us that only God can meet our deepest needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return.htm">Repentance and Return</a></b><br>The son's eventual return to his father illustrates the importance of repentance and the hope of restoration with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Encourages believers to rely on God's provision rather than their own resources or worldly solutions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_doesn't_god_stop_global_hunger.htm">Why does God do something about famine, hunger and starvation in other countries?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_mark_10_21_conflict_with_modern_life.htm">Doesn't Jesus' command in Mark 10:21 to 'sell everything' conflict with modern economic realities and social responsibilities?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_paul's_collection_beyond_bible.htm">1 Corinthians 16:1 - Is there any historical or archaeological evidence for Paul's collection for the saints, or does it solely rely on biblical claims?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_jesus_appear_to_12_or_11_disciples.htm">How many disciples did Jesus appear to after his resurrection: Twelve (1 Cor 15:5) or Eleven (Matt 27:3-5; Acts 1:9-26; Matt 28:16; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:9, 33)?</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>(14) <span class= "bld">There arose a mighty famine in that land.</span>--This again was no unwonted incident. The famine which "came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar" (<a href="/acts/11-28.htm" title="And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.">Acts 11:28</a>) was more extensive and memorable than others, but it was far from standing alone. And now the pinch came. His treasure was gone, and for the fulness of bread there was hunger and "cleanness of teeth" (<a href="/amos/4-6.htm" title="And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have you not returned to me, said the LORD.">Amos 4:6</a>). In the individual interpretation of the parable, the mighty famine is the yearning of the soul's unsatisfied desire, the absence of its true food, of "the bread that cometh down from heaven." (See Notes on <a href="/john/6-32.htm" title="Then Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.">John 6:32</a>.) In its wider range it is the craving of humanity for what it cannot find when appetites are not satisfied, and their wonted supply ceases--the famine, not of bread and of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord (<a href="/amos/8-11.htm" title="Behold, the days come, said the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:">Amos 8:11</a>); the want of a message from the Eternal Father to sustain the life of His children.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when he had spent all.</span> True of many a soul in all times, but especially in that age of excessive luxury and splendour and of unbridled passions. <p><span class="accented">"On that hard Roman world, disgust<br />And secret loathing fell;<br />Deep weariness and sated lust<br />Made human life a hell."</span><br /><br />(<span class="note_acc">Matthew Arnold.</span>) <span class="cmt_word">There arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want</span>. The "mighty famine" may be understood to represent difficult times. Wax or political convulsions, so common in those days, may have speedily brought about the ruin of many like the prodigal of our story, and his comparatively small fortune would quickly have been swallowed up. Selfish evil-living, excesses of various kinds, had gained him no real friends, but had left him to meet the ruin of his fortune with enfeebled powers, homeless and friendless; hence the depth of the degradation in which we speedily find him. Not an unusual figure in the great world-drama, this of the younger son - the man who had sacrificed everything for selfish pleasure, and soon found he had absolutely nothing left but suffering. Very touchingly the greatest, perhaps, of our English poets writes of this awful soul-famine. In <span class="accented">his</span> case fortune and rank still remained to him, but everything that can really make life precious and beautiful had been wasted. <p><span class="accented">"My days are in the yellow leaf;<br />The flowers and fruits of love are gone;<br />The worm, the anguish, and the grief,<br />Are mine alone.</span> <p><span class="accented">"The fire that on my bosom preys<br />Is lone as some volcanic isle;<br />No torch is kindled at its blaze -<br />A funeral pile!"</span><br /><br />(<span class="note_acc">Byron.</span>) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/15-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">After</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had spent</span><br /><span class="grk">Δαπανήσαντος</span> <span class="translit">(Dapanēsantos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1159.htm">Strong's 1159: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spend, bear expense, waste, squander. From dapane; to expend, i.e. to incur cost, or to waste.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all [he had],</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντα</span> <span class="translit">(panta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a severe</span><br /><span class="grk">ἰσχυρὰ</span> <span class="translit">(ischyra)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2478.htm">Strong's 2478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">famine</span><br /><span class="grk">λιμὸς</span> <span class="translit">(limos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3042.htm">Strong's 3042: </a> </span><span class="str2">A famine, hunger. Probably from leipo; a scarcity of food.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">swept</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐγένετο</span> <span class="translit">(egeneto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through</span><br /><span class="grk">κατὰ</span> <span class="translit">(kata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκείνην</span> <span class="translit">(ekeinēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1565.htm">Strong's 1565: </a> </span><span class="str2">That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">country,</span><br /><span class="grk">χώραν</span> <span class="translit">(chōran)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5561.htm">Strong's 5561: </a> </span><span class="str2">Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτὸς</span> <span class="translit">(autos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">began</span><br /><span class="grk">ἤρξατο</span> <span class="translit">(ērxato)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_756.htm">Strong's 756: </a> </span><span class="str2">To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to be in need.</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑστερεῖσθαι</span> <span class="translit">(hystereisthai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5302.htm">Strong's 5302: </a> </span><span class="str2">From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/15-14.htm">Luke 15:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/15-14.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 15:14 When he had spent all of it (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/15-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 15:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 15:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/15-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 15:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 15:15" /></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>