And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
What does Luke 15:16 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 15:16-17 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Luke 15:16
He would fain - He would gladly. He desired to do it. The husks - The word "husks" with us denotes the outward covering of grain. In this there is little nourishment, and it is evident that this is not intended here; but the word used here denotes not only "husks," but also leguminous plants, as beans, etc. It is also used to denote the fruit of a tree called the "carob or kharub-tree," which is common in Ionia, Syria, and Rhodes. The tree is more bushy and thick set than the apple tree, and the leaves are larger and of a much darker green. The following is Dr.
Key words
- filled
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And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks,.
- belly
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And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks,.
- husks
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And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks,.
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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