Luke 15:24 kjv

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:24 nkjv

for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:24 niv

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:24 esv

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:24 nlt

for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 24 Meaning

Luke 15:24 conveys the father's profound joy and celebration over the return of his previously wayward son. The statement, "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found," is a powerful metaphor for spiritual transformation. It signifies that the son, through his repentance and return, has transitioned from a state of alienation, sin, and spiritual death to one of renewed relationship with his father, marked by forgiveness, acceptance, and a vibrant new life. This verse highlights God's character of seeking the lost, celebrating repentance, and fully restoring those who turn to Him.

Luke 15 24 Context

Luke chapter 15 presents three parables (the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son) told by Jesus in response to the Pharisees and scribes grumbling that He welcomed and ate with "sinners." The entire chapter underscores God's deep love, active pursuit, and immense joy over the repentance and restoration of a lost individual. Luke 15:24 is the culmination of the third parable, known as the Prodigal Son. It articulates the father's reasoning for throwing a grand feast upon his younger son's return, demonstrating divine eagerness to forgive and reconcile. The historical context reflects Jewish society's rigid separation from known sinners, contrasting sharply with Jesus' inclusive and restorative message from God's heart.

Luke 15 24 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): Connects the celebration to the profound reason about to be given. It introduces the explanation for the immediate action.
• this (οὗτος - houtos): Emphasizes the specific son, the one who caused such distress and sorrow, now restored. It points to a concrete, personal experience.
• my son (ὁ υἱός μου - ho huios mou): Highlights the deep, personal, and enduring father-son relationship, which was strained but never severed by the father's love.
• was dead (νεκρὸς ἦν - nekros ēn):
  • Nekros signifies literal physical death but here functions metaphorically for spiritual death, separation from the father's house, and a life devoid of spiritual vitality. It denotes complete alienation from the source of life and goodness, indicative of a life given over to sin. This is a common biblical metaphor for a state of sin or alienation from God (e.g., Eph 2:1).
• and is alive again (καὶ ἀνέζησεν - kai anezēsen):
  • Anezēsen means "he came to life again," or "was restored to life." It points to a resurrection from a spiritual death. This is not merely a change of mind but a profound transformation, a new birth (Jn 3:3) and revival of spiritual being. It implies a dramatic, supernatural change, reflecting God's ability to breathe new life into what was lifeless.
• he was lost (καὶ ἀπολωλώς ἦν - kai apolōlōs ēn):
  • Apolōlōs means "was ruined," "destroyed," "perished," or "lost." It describes his condition of being utterly adrift, without guidance or proper place, signifying his moral wandering and descent into dissipation. He was not just physically away but morally "lost" from his family, his values, and himself.
• and is found (καὶ εὑρέθη - kai heurethē):
  • Heurethē means "he was found" or "discovered." This indicates the successful outcome of God's search (implied in the lost sheep and coin parables) and the result of the son's decision to return. It speaks to God's readiness to receive and restore once repentance occurs.
• Let us celebrate (εὐφρανθῶμεν - euphranthōmen):
  • Euphranthōmen implies joyful celebration, feasting, and being in good cheer. It's a collective, exultant response to a great cause for joy, demonstrating the extent of the father's delight.

Words-group analysis:

• "For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."This phrase uses striking parallelism (dead/alive again; lost/found) to emphasize a complete, profound transformation and reversal of spiritual state. It functions as a summary statement of redemption, illustrating that returning to the Father is akin to experiencing resurrection from death and rediscovering one's true identity and purpose after being adrift. It underlines the radical grace of the Father and the profound significance of repentance. This reversal from negative to positive underscores the joy that salvation brings to the heart of God.

Luke 15 24 Bonus section

• The radical nature of the father's declaration: In Jewish society, a son who had squandered his inheritance would have been an utter disgrace, potentially shunned or subjected to public humiliation. The father's immediate and unrestrained embrace, his restoration of full sonship (best robe, ring, sandals), and the feast stand in stark contrast to societal expectations, highlighting God's scandalously abundant grace that goes far beyond mere forgiveness.
• The emphasis on 'my son': Despite the son's destructive actions, the father never ceased to acknowledge him as "my son." This emphasizes God's steadfast love and identity He has given us, even when we stray, demonstrating His unchangeable commitment to those created in His image.
• The active nature of "is found": While the prodigal chose to return, the "finding" echoes God's sovereign initiation and delight in that return. The other parables (lost sheep, lost coin) show God actively searching. Here, the Father is ready, waiting, and actively welcomes with overwhelming joy once the son turns his face homeward, showcasing a God who both seeks and receives.

Luke 15 24 Commentary

Luke 15:24 encapsulates the heart of the gospel message: God's boundless grace, His fervent desire for the lost to be found, and the immense joy in heaven over every soul that returns to Him. The father's declaration is not simply about his son coming home, but about the state of the son changing from spiritual death to life, from being utterly lost to being fully found and embraced. This transformation evokes overwhelming celebration because it mirrors the ultimate act of salvation, where humanity, dead in sin, is made alive in Christ. It teaches us that God views genuine repentance as a 'resurrection event,' justifying lavish celebration. The narrative strongly rebukes any legalistic or self-righteous mindset that begrudges such unmerited favor.