Luke 15:21 kjv

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Luke 15:21 nkjv

And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

Luke 15:21 niv

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

Luke 15:21 esv

And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

Luke 15:21 nlt

His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. '

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 21 Meaning

Luke 15:21 encapsulates the moment of the prodigal son's confession and deepest humility upon returning to his father. He admits full responsibility for his sin, acknowledging that his transgression was against God (represented by "heaven") first and foremost, and then against his earthly father. His statement of unworthiness ("no longer worthy to be called your son") demonstrates profound repentance and the loss of any claim to the familial rights he had squandered, accepting a position of much lower status.

Luke 15 21 Context

Luke 15:21 is a pivotal line within the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32), which is one of three parables (the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, the Lost Son) Jesus tells in response to the Pharisees and scribes grumbling that He welcomes and eats with tax collectors and sinners (Lk 15:1-2). These parables highlight God's radical grace, His zealous pursuit of the lost, and the immense joy in heaven over a sinner's repentance.

Specifically, this verse immediately follows the son's journey home from utter destitution and his internal monologue where he decides to return and admit his sin (Lk 15:17-19). He practices his speech, resolving to confess his sin against God and his father and to ask to be made a hired servant. Luke 15:21 presents the actual spoken words of his confession to his father, reflecting his profound shift from rebellion and entitlement to humility and brokenness. The son's deep sense of unworthiness is central, having experienced the harsh realities of living outside his father's house. This confession sets the stage for the father's overflowing and immediate embrace of unconditional love, contrasting sharply with the son's perceived unworthiness and the elder brother's resentment.

Luke 15 21 Word analysis

• And the son said to him, 'Father:

  • And: kai (Greek) – a common connective, signifying a direct progression in the narrative.
  • the son: ho huios (Greek) – refers to the younger son, who had previously demanded his inheritance, squandered it, and lived recklessly. His designation as "the son" emphasizes his familial identity despite his actions, and his addressing his father signifies a re-acknowledgment of that bond.
  • said to him: eipen autō (Greek) – straightforward action; the culmination of his journey and resolve (Lk 15:17-19).
  • Father: Pater (Greek) – A term of intimate address. The choice to still address him as "Father" rather than something more formal, even in his unworthiness, speaks to a hope for restored relationship, however remote he perceived it to be.

• I have sinned:

  • I have sinned: hēmarton (Greek) – An aorist verb, indicating a definite, completed action with ongoing consequences. It signifies a profound personal admission of guilt, not merely a past mistake but a recognized act of rebellion against moral law and relational duty. It’s a genuine and deep confession.

• against heaven:

  • against heaven: eis ton ouranon (Greek) – "Heaven" serves as a common circumlocution (indirect expression) for God in Jewish thought, especially to avoid frequent direct utterance of the divine name. Thus, "sinned against heaven" unequivocally means sinning against God. This emphasizes that the son's transgressions were not merely relational or economic, but primarily spiritual – a defiance of God's order and authority. This aligns with a deeper theological understanding of sin.

• and before you,

  • and before you: kai enōpion sou (Greek) – This phrase translates literally to "and in your presence" or "in your sight." It highlights the relational dimension of his sin. He not only broke divine law but also grievously dishonored and wounded his earthly father, demonstrating disrespect, betrayal, and a complete disregard for family honor and tradition. He admits his sin publicly to the person he wronged directly.

• and I am no longer worthy

  • and I am no longer worthy: ouketi eimi axios (Greek) – "No longer" (ouketi) signifies a former state of worthiness that has been unequivocally forfeited. "Worthy" (axios) implies having sufficient merit or fittingness for a certain position or privilege. The son profoundly understands that his actions have stripped him of his inherent rights and status within the family. This is an admission of self-abject humiliation, acknowledging he has squandered all familial claims.

• to be called your son.'

  • to be called your son: klēthēnai huios sou (Greek) – To "be called" indicates the recognized status and honor associated with his name and identity. His sin has erased his right to this prestigious and beloved position. This reflects his full recognition that his entitlement is gone, and he expects to be reduced to the lowest status.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I have sinned against heaven and before you": This concise confession mirrors significant biblical instances of repentance (e.g., David in Ps 51:4), identifying sin as first and foremost against God's ultimate authority, and then acknowledging its painful impact on human relationships. It's a comprehensive confession covering both the vertical (God) and horizontal (man) dimensions of his transgression.
• "I am no longer worthy to be called your son": This declaration shows the true depth of his humility and repentance. He is not making excuses or seeking a partial restoration. He fully comprehends the magnitude of his fall from grace and implicitly requests a servant's status, indicating a desire simply to be in the father's house, even if it means foregoing all former privilege.

Luke 15 21 Bonus section

While Luke 15:21 itself does not explicitly include the phrase "make me like one of your hired servants," many critical Greek manuscripts do include it after "your son," and it is often understood as implied by the son's declaration of unworthiness, or it appears in his prior soliloquy (Lk 15:19). Regardless of its exact placement in this verse across manuscripts, the intent to become a servant is central to the son's repentant posture. This desire signifies that he isn't seeking forgiveness to regain a comfortable status, but simply to be in the presence of his father, even at the lowest rung. This willingness to surrender status underscores the profound change in his heart, moving from a position of entitlement to one of total submission and humility. This also highlights the son's internal expectation of what repentance would lead to versus the father's extravagant, surprising, and undeserved mercy shown in the verses immediately following. The father's actions (Luke 15:22-24) instantly override the son's request for servant status, showcasing God's abounding love and eagerness to fully restore, not just partially forgive, those who genuinely turn to Him.

Luke 15 21 Commentary

Luke 15:21 presents the essence of genuine repentance through the prodigal son's powerful confession. It marks the complete abandonment of his former self-will and self-indulgence. His words "I have sinned against heaven and before you" signify a dual and profound recognition of guilt: against the ultimate authority of God, and against the direct personal love and provision of his father. This mirrors the biblical truth that all sin is ultimately against God (Ps 51:4) while simultaneously impacting others. The use of "heaven" instead of directly naming God shows reverent acknowledgement of the divine presence and judgment, a common Jewish idiom.

His subsequent declaration, "I am no longer worthy to be called your son," reveals a truly broken and humbled spirit. This is not feigned modesty but a deep, felt understanding that his rebellious actions have irrevocably forfeited his privileged status and relationship. He anticipates nothing but the lowest possible position, far from the cherished place of a son, demonstrating an absolute readiness to accept any consequence of his sin. This self-assessment, though seemingly harsh, is the foundation upon which grace can fully operate, as it pre-empts any claim based on merit or previous status. This complete relinquishment of entitlement is critical; it’s the surrender that allows the father's boundless, unearned grace to flow without obstruction, showcasing God's joyous acceptance of a truly contrite heart, irrespective of worthiness.