Chapter
Verse

Luke 15:29

ESV but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
NIV But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
NASB But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
CSB But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends.
NLT but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.
KJV And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
NKJV So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

What does Luke 15:29 mean?

Jesus continues the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–12). The father has come outside to the older son to try to convince him to join the celebration (Luke 15:25–28).

The story turns ironic. The younger son, having returned home in repentance after disgracing his family, is inside the home, enjoying a party (Luke 15:22–24). The elder son, who has remained with his father, slaving for him, is now feeling like an outsider. He is resentful that the father has made such extravagant fuss over his wayward brother (Luke 15:30), while the obedient son has been given nothing to celebrate with his friends. By making this comparison, he reveals that he doesn't really understand what is going on.

The celebration isn't about the younger son. It isn't in honor of his newfound humility or even his return to his father. The celebration is an invitation into the outpouring of the father's joy. True, the father has given a ring and the best robe to the younger son, but that too comes from the father's joy, not any honor the younger son deserves. The father is inviting the older son to join in his joy; how could a "celebration" with a mere goat amongst friends compare?

"Served" is from the Greek root word douleuō, forming terms related to slaves and slavery. Whether dramatically or sincerely, the older son claims his father is treating him as a slave, not a son. He doesn't seem to remember that whatever work he accomplishes builds his own inheritance (Luke 15:31).
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