And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
What does Luke 15:23 mean?
Having viewed the prodigal in his abject state of misery, we are next to consider his recovery from it. This begins by his coming to himself.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Luke 15:23-27 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Luke 15:23
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it ; and let us eat, and be merry: Be merry - Literally, "eating, let us rejoice." The word "merry" does not quite express the meaning of the Greek. "Merriment" denotes a light, playful, jovial mirth. The Greek denotes simply "joy - let us be happy, or joyful.
Key words
- bringing it hither
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bringing it hither.
- mirth
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mirth. (f) T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 9. 1.
- bringing it hither
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bringing it hither.
- mirth
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mirth. (f) T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 9. 1.
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.
Related topics
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Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Central texts on sin, grace, faith, Christ’s saving work, and the Bible’s announcement that salvation is received rather than achieved.