Luke 15:19 kjv

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Luke 15:19 nkjv

and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." '

Luke 15:19 niv

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.'

Luke 15:19 esv

I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'

Luke 15:19 nlt

and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."'

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 19 Meaning

Luke 15:19 expresses the prodigal son's deep humility and self-perception of unworthiness upon deciding to return to his father. He acknowledges that his previous sinful actions have forfeited his rightful status as a son, and he no longer deserves the privileges or title associated with it. Instead, he requests to be accepted in the lowest possible position, that of a hired servant, signifying his complete surrender, repentance, and a willingness to work for basic sustenance, devoid of any filial claim. This demonstrates a genuine recognition of his sin and a broken spirit, contrasted with his initial arrogant demand for his inheritance.

Luke 15 19 Context

Luke 15:19 is the culmination of the prodigal son's inner reflection, forming part of a powerful confession and plea. This verse follows directly from his decision in verse 18 to "return to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’" It articulates the depth of his repentance and his understanding of the lost privileges. This parable is the last of three consecutive parables about "lost things"—the lost sheep (Lk 15:3-7) and the lost coin (Lk 15:8-10)—all told by Jesus to address the Pharisees and scribes' grumbling about Him associating with "sinners and tax collectors" (Lk 15:1-2). These parables emphasize God's overwhelming joy over one repentant sinner, contrasting it with the self-righteousness of those who failed to grasp divine mercy. The cultural context suggests that in a patriarchal household, a son held a privileged position with inheritance rights and dignity, while a hired servant was a non-familial laborer, easily dismissed, having no rights beyond agreed wages. The son's request reveals a complete willingness to forgo all such rights due to his grave dishonor to his family and to God.

Luke 15 19 Word analysis

• And (κἀγώ, kago): Literally "and I," serving as a continuation of the thought in Luke 15:18, connecting the act of returning and confessing with this further plea.

• am no longer (οὐκέτι, ouketi): A strong negative, meaning "no more," "no longer." This emphasizes the finality of the son's perceived forfeiture of his status. It's a statement of absolute truth in his mind, acknowledging an irreparable break with his past standing.

• worthy (ἄξιος, axios): Signifies "deserving," "meriting," "of equal weight." This word expresses the son's moral judgment of himself. He has fallen so far below the standard of a son's honor and duty that he sees himself as entirely undeserving of that name or status. His actions, squandering the inheritance, shaming his family, and living dissolutely, have made him "unworthy."

• to be called (κληθῆναι, klethenai): Means "to be summoned," "to be named," or "to be invited." Being "called" a son carried profound implications of identity, status, and privilege within a family. This indicates his recognition of losing not just the privileges but the very identity associated with his birthright.

• your son (υἱός σου, huios sou): "Son" (huios) is a critical term signifying legal heir, recipient of inheritance, and a person with family identity and honor. By rejecting this title, the son expresses his deepest humility and the magnitude of his self-perceived transgression. He recognizes that he has forfeited his unique and irreplaceable bond with his father through his rebellion.

• Make me (ποίησόν, poiēson): An imperative verb, "do," "make," "treat." This is not a demand but a humble plea, asking his father to act upon his self-assessment. It indicates a willingness to accept whatever arrangement the father deems fit, demonstrating surrender.

• one of your (ἕνα τῶν, hena tōn): Emphasizes that he seeks to be merely "one among many," rather than the unique individual he once was as a son. It strips away any special standing.

• hired servants (μισθίων, misthiōn): This refers to day laborers, temporary employees, as opposed to permanent household slaves (douloi) or bondservants (oiketēs). Hired servants had no inherent rights, no family connection, and were paid for a specific task or day's work, easily dismissed. They worked solely for their wage and sustenance. This is the lowest rung on the social ladder for a laborer within a household context. It is the antithesis of a son's status and represents total abasement and a plea for bare subsistence rather than filial love or inheritance.

• Group analysis: "am no longer worthy to be called your son" This phrase encapsulates the son's complete understanding of his fall from grace. It signifies not merely regret over consequences, but a profound shame and internal conviction that his actions have stripped him of his inherent identity and honor as a son. It is a genuine confession of guilt and self-condemnation, vital for true repentance.

• Group analysis: "make me one of your hired servants" This plea demonstrates the depth of his brokenness and humility. He is not asking for mercy as a son, but for the basic provision of a transient worker. It highlights his willingness to serve in the lowest possible capacity, acknowledging that anything his father grants him will be an unmerited favor, far beyond what he deserves.

Luke 15 19 Bonus section

The prodigal son's choice of "hired servant" (μίσθιος, misthios) is distinct from a bondservant or slave (δοῦλος, doulos). A doulos was part of the permanent household staff, often with more secure, albeit subordinate, status, sometimes considered part of the family "property." A misthios, however, was temporary, without social security, or long-term rights, reflecting the most desperate situation the son imagined for himself. This deliberate choice underscores the extremity of his humility and perceived downfall. Furthermore, the father’s subsequent actions (restoring cloak, ring, shoes, and holding a feast) explicitly reject the son’s request to be a servant, reaffirming his sonship and God’s complete restoration that far exceeds our highest hopes or most humble prayers. This reflects the New Covenant reality of adoption, where believers are sons and daughters, not just hired servants or slaves (Gal 4:4-7).

Luke 15 19 Commentary

Luke 15:19 articulates the profound self-awareness and brokenness of the prodigal son. His words are not manipulative but arise from genuine repentance. He comprehends the magnitude of his rebellion against his father and against God (sinned "against heaven and before you"). By relinquishing his sonship and asking to be treated as a hired servant, he reveals an inner transformation: from arrogant self-indulgence to desperate humility. This plea indicates he is no longer motivated by a desire for ease or privilege but by a simple longing for reconciliation, even at the cost of his former status. It highlights that true repentance involves an acknowledgement of unworthiness and a willingness to accept God's grace on His terms, rather than demanding rights. The son’s journey from desiring his inheritance to begging for a servant's wage exemplifies the stripping away of pride before the receiving of undeserved mercy. His humble self-assessment provides the backdrop against which the father's overflowing grace and unconditional love, extended in Luke 15:20-24, are most brilliantly displayed, underscoring that God's love does not require us to earn our way back.