Luke 15:12 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.

Luke 15:12 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.

Luke 15:12 niv

The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

Luke 15:12 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.

Luke 15:12 nlt

The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 12 Meaning

Luke 15:12 depicts the critical turning point in the Parable of the Lost Son, where the younger son directly and boldly demands his inheritance share from his living father. This request, profoundly disrespectful and culturally shocking in that era, signals a desire for absolute independence and an effective severance of his ties from his family, viewing his father's presence and authority as an impediment to his self-gratification. The verse culminates with the father astonishingly acceding to this audacious request, dividing his property and setting in motion the son's departure and subsequent ruin.

Luke 15 12 Context

Luke Chapter 15 contains a series of parables (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son) that Jesus tells in response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes. They criticized Jesus for welcoming "sinners" and eating with them (Lk 15:1-2). These parables serve to explain and justify Jesus's ministry to the outcast, highlighting God's boundless love, active pursuit of the lost, and the profound joy in heaven over a sinner's repentance.

Luke 15:12 marks the beginning of the "Parable of the Lost Son" (often called the "Prodigal Son"). The story unfolds in a familial setting within a predominantly agrarian society where land and inheritance were central to family identity and survival. Inheritance was customarily passed down upon the father's death. A son demanding his portion before the father's death was virtually unheard of and deeply offensive. It implied wishing the father dead and wishing to escape familial authority and responsibility. It severed the relational bond for material gain, setting up the son as self-sufficient and independent of his father.

Luke 15 12 Word analysis

• And the younger of them (Greek: ὁ νεώτερος αὐτῶν, ho neōteros autōn): This identifies the son who speaks. In Jewish law, the younger son traditionally received one-third of the inheritance, while the firstborn received a double portion (Deut 21:17). The fact that he is "the younger" highlights his subordinate position within the family structure, yet he challenges this hierarchy with his demand.
• said to his father, 'Father,' (Greek: εἶπεν ... τῷ πατρί, Πάτερ, eipen ... tō patri, Pater): While still addressing his parent respectfully as "Father," his subsequent demand is the antithesis of honoring one's parents. This address is perfunctory, masking deep disrespect. It indicates a transactional, rather than relational, view.
• 'give me' (Greek: δός μοι, dos moi): An imperative verb, "give," combined with the dative pronoun "me." This is not a humble request but a blunt, direct command or demand. It expresses an urgent, unyielding desire for immediate possession and control.
• 'the share of property' (Greek: τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας, to epiballon meros tēs ousías):
  • 'the share' (τὸ μέρος, to meros): Literally "the portion" or "the part."
  • 'that is coming to me' (ἐπιβάλλον, epiballon): This term signifies "that which falls to one," or "that which is due." The son frames his demand not as a favor but as a legal entitlement that he believes should already be his. He asserts his rights, perhaps implying he perceives the father is withholding what is "rightfully" his, even though custom dictates he is only due this upon the father's passing. This phrase is a legalistic assertion rather than a relational plea.
  • 'of property' (τῆς οὐσίας, tēs ousías): Refers to the father's entire estate, including land, animals, money, and other assets. This was the source of the family's livelihood and security. For a son to ask for this while the father was alive was effectively to wish him dead, breaking family ties and seeking independence.
• 'And he divided it between them.' (Greek: ὁ δὲ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον., ho de dieilen autois ton bion.):
  • 'he divided' (διεῖλεν, dieilen): This verb means "to divide," "to distribute," or "to separate." The immediate action signifies the father's profound, almost shocking, consent to the son's demand. It reflects an act of immense grace, sorrowful surrender, or allowing autonomy even in the face of deep disrespect.
  • 'it' (τὸν βίον, ton bion): While ousías referred to "property" or "substance" asked for by the son, βίον (bion) means "livelihood," "sustenance," or "means of life." The shift in word emphasizes that the father not only gave physical assets but his very means of existence and life's accumulation, placing himself in a vulnerable position.
  • 'between them' (αὐτοῖς, autois): The plural pronoun "them" indicates that the father also designated the elder son's portion (likely keeping the actual management of it until his death), implying he parceled out the entire estate, rather than just the younger son's third. This could also suggest that by legally doing this, he would avoid disputes between the sons in the future. It places both sons, in a sense, as legal managers or recipients of portions of his estate prematurely.

Luke 15 12 Bonus section

The father's silent granting of the demand in this verse is highly significant. It showcases a character embodying astonishing generosity and respect for his son's autonomy, even if it leads to grave error. This stands in stark contrast to what a typical patriarch of that era would have done, which would be to flatly refuse the demand and likely disown the son. The father's action, while seemingly passive, is actually a powerful act of sacrificial love. By giving up his bion (his livelihood), he is essentially giving up his authority, financial security, and even a degree of social standing within the community. This verse profoundly underscores themes of human freedom to reject the Father's provisions and the radical, suffering love of God who allows for such choices, waiting for repentance.

Luke 15 12 Commentary

Luke 15:12 sets the stage for the parable's central conflict. The younger son's demand is a profound act of rebellion against patriarchal authority and cultural norms. It's an expression of ingratitude and a complete disowning of his filial responsibilities for personal indulgence. The father's immediate acquiescence, contrary to expectation and custom, demonstrates an unparalleled act of selfless love and respect for his son's free will, even if that will leads to self-destruction. This verse highlights the tension between freedom and responsibility, setting up the subsequent narrative of human brokenness and divine restoration. It teaches that true love gives liberty, even at great personal cost, providing the context for understanding God's generous love towards a world that demands its "share" and walks away from Him.