Luke 15:22 kjv

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Luke 15:22 nkjv

"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

Luke 15:22 niv

"But 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.

Luke 15:22 esv

But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

Luke 15:22 nlt

"But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 22 Meaning

Luke 15:22 depicts the prodigal son's father instructing his servants to bring the finest robe, a ring for his hand, and sandals for his feet. This act signifies the father's immediate, full, and unconditional restoration of the son's honor, status, and identity as a beloved member of the family, far beyond what the son expected or felt he deserved. It is an illustration of God's abundant grace and joyful welcome for every penitent sinner, regardless of their past.

Luke 15 22 Context

Luke chapter 15 records three parables of "lost and found": the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Jesus tells these parables in response to the Pharisees and scribes grumbling that He welcomed sinners and ate with them (Luke 15:1-2). This specific verse occurs immediately after the younger son, having squandered his inheritance and been reduced to abject poverty and despair, returns home with a prepared confession of unworthiness (Luke 15:18-21). Historically and culturally, the son's actions brought shame not only upon himself but also his father. For the father to run out to meet him, embrace him, and then demand these specific items was an extraordinary act of love and public restoration, utterly counter-cultural to the expected reaction of disownment or severe punishment. It underscored Jesus' radical message of God's inclusive, boundless grace towards sinners who repent.

Luke 15 22 Word analysis

• But: Greek, de (δὲ). Serves as a transition, highlighting a contrast between the son's expectation of being a hired servant and the father's utterly different, gracious response.
• the father: Greek, ho pater (ὁ πατὴρ). Emphasizes his primary role as the loving authority figure, the head of the household, and by implication, God the Father. His action flows from his character.
• said: Greek, eipen (εἶπεν). A declarative command, demonstrating his sovereign authority and resolve.
• to his servants: Greek, tois doulois autou (τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ). These are not simply slaves, but household staff, acting as executors of the father's will. Their prompt obedience is part of the restoration. This contrasts with the son's desire to become one of the hired servants.
• ‘Bring: Greek, enenkate (ἐνέγκατε). An imperative verb, "bring immediately," conveying urgency and priority. No delay or questioning is allowed.
• quickly: Greek, tachion (τάχιον). An adverb emphasizing haste and immediacy. This is not a slow, reluctant act but a joyous, eager command. It reflects the eager heart of God.
• the best: Greek, tēn prōtēn (τὴν πρώτην). Literally "the first" or "the chief/prime." Not merely a "good" robe, but the absolute finest, reserved for honor, prestige, or perhaps signifying his original, eldest son status that was squandered but now re-conferred. It's a statement of supremacy and pre-eminence.
• robe: Greek, stolēn (στολὴν). A long, flowing, stately garment worn on formal occasions, by people of rank or dignity. It's not common attire. To receive this signifies being honored and accepted into the highest circle, covering the shame of his previous ragged state.
• and put it on him: Greek, kai endysate auton (καὶ ἐνδύσατε αὐτόν). Direct instruction for immediate adornment. It implies a public re-clothing, erasing past shame and bestowing new honor.
• and put: Greek, kai didote (καὶ δίδοτε). Imperative, continuous action "keep on giving" or "give also." Signifies another immediate bestowal.
• a ring: Greek, daktylion (δακτύλιον). A signet ring. This was a symbol of authority, family headship, identification, and trust, used to seal documents. It signifies legal and social reinstatement, granting him access to family resources and transactions.
• on his hand: Greek, epi tēn cheira autou (ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ). The hand is for action, for signing, for carrying out tasks. Placing the ring there denotes not just passive status but active privilege and responsibility.
• and shoes: Greek, kai hypodēmatas (καὶ ὑποδήματα). Sandals or shoes. In ancient times, slaves typically went barefoot. Wearing shoes was a mark of a free person, a son. It speaks of dignity, freedom, and the right to walk in his father's house, and even beyond, as a respected family member.
• on his feet: Greek, epi tous podas (ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας). Literally "upon the feet." Further emphasizes his restoration from one who was walking barefoot like a servant, or living among pigs, to one who is fully dignified.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But the father said to his servants,": Highlights the proactive, authoritative, and compassionate stance of the father. He doesn't wait for further entreaties or proof from the son but acts immediately from his position of authority.
• "‘Bring quickly the best robe,": The instruction emphasizes speed and lavishness. This is not begrudging acceptance, but an enthusiastic, no-holds-barred welcome. The "best robe" symbolizes complete covering of shame, new dignity, and the restoration of familial honor, potentially even symbolizing the righteousness of Christ (Isa 61:10).
• "and put a ring on his hand,": The ring represents authority, belonging, and trust. It signals not just reconciliation but a reinstatement to his position as a son, possibly with access to the father's resources, finances, and identity (Gen 41:42). It is a reversal of his beggared state.
• "and shoes on his feet": Shoes distinguish a free person from a slave. This gift symbolizes freedom, status, and the right to walk with dignity. The son's self-degradation as a hired servant (who would be barefoot) is entirely repudiated by the father's lavish grant of freedom and honor.

Luke 15 22 Bonus section

• The immediacy ("quickly") of the father's response highlights that divine restoration is not a slow, incremental process of earning favor back, but an instant bestowal based purely on grace upon repentance.
• For the Jewish audience, the act of putting on "the best robe" could allude to the garments worn by the High Priest or a respected family head, emphasizing the son's elevated and pure status now in the household.
• The entire sequence of restoration elements (robe, ring, shoes) not only addresses the son's physical needs but, more significantly, counteracts every aspect of his self-degradation and public humiliation: his nakedness of character, his lack of authority, and his enslavement to poverty and sin.
• The father's extravagant actions are a polemic against the judgmentalism of the Pharisees, revealing God's character as One who seeks and rejoices over the lost, showering them with lavish mercy rather than legalistic condemnation.
• The parable, through this verse, emphasizes that a true return to God (repentance) is met not with deserved punishment, but with an outpouring of divine favor, a fresh identity, and the complete joy of acceptance into His family.

Luke 15 22 Commentary

Luke 15:22 is a profound illustration of God's unreserved and unconditional grace towards a repentant sinner. The father's actions go far beyond what the son hoped for (to be a hired servant). Each item – the best robe, the ring, the shoes – is a powerful symbol of complete restoration, far from merely forgiveness. The "best robe" symbolizes the covering of all sin and shame with a garment of divine righteousness, signifying a new, pure identity in Christ. The "ring" signifies full adoption, authority, trust, and the restoration of sonship, indicating shared access to the Father's resources and reputation. The "shoes" mark the son as a free person, removing any vestige of servanthood or enslavement to sin.

The command "Bring quickly" speaks volumes of God's eagerness and joy in welcoming those who return to Him. There is no delay, no probation period, no withholding of blessing. The father's overflowing generosity immediately reverses the son's degraded state, restoring not only his lost status but showering him with honor beyond his former position. This passage profoundly challenges self-righteous attitudes, showcasing that God's grace is boundless and unearned, delighting in reconciliation and showering new dignity upon all who turn back to Him with humble hearts. It paints a picture of Heaven's boundless joy over one repentant sinner.