Luke 15:11-32

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Luke 15:11-32

11Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
14After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.
17Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death!
18I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
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.
21The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
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.
23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
25Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
27‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’
28The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29But 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.
30But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours.
32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
— Luke 15:11-32

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Illustration of Luke 15:13-16 NLT

Illustration of Luke 15:13-16 NLT -- [Continuing the tale of the two sons, Jesus said,] "A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything."

It all begins with this realization!
Illustration of Luke 15:17

Inspirational illustration of Luke 15:17 -- When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say

Cross References for Luke 15:11-32

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.