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.
What does Luke 15:12 mean?
The parable of the prodigal son shows the nature of repentance, and the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless all who return to him.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Luke 15:11-15 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Luke 15:12
And he divided unto them his living. And the younger of them said - By this younger son we are to understand the publicans and sinners to be represented. By the older, the Pharisees and scribes. Give me the portion - The part. Of goods - Of property. That falleth to me - That is properly my share. There is no impropriety in supposing that he was of age; and, as he chose to leave his father's house, it was proper that his father should, if he chose, give him the part of the estate which would be his. He divided unto them his living - His property, or "means" of living.
Key words
- to his Father
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to his Father.
- to his Father
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to his Father.
Context in Luke 15
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Luke 15 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as journey to Jerusalem. Luke emphasizes salvation for the poor and the outsider, prayer, joy, women, table fellowship, the Holy Spirit, and the universal reach of Christ’s mission. Read this chapter with the wider themes of salvation, Spirit, and prayer in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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