Luke 15:25–28

15:25 “Now his older son was in the field. As77 he came and approached the house, he heard music78 and dancing. 15:26 So79 he called one of the slaves80 and asked what was happening. 15:27 The slave replied,81 ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf82 because he got his son83 back safe and sound.’ 15:28 But the older son84 became angry85 and refused86 to go in. His father came out and appealed to him,

77	tn Grk “And as.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
78	sn This would have been primarily instrumental music, but might include singing as well.
79	tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the older son hearing the noise of the celebration in progress.
80	tn The Greek term here, παῖς (pais), describes a slave, possibly a household servant regarded with some affection (L&N 87.77).
81	tn Grk “And he said to him.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated. The rest of the phrase has been simplified to “the slave replied,” with the referent (the slave) specified in the translation for clarity.
82	tn See note on the phrase “fattened calf” in v. 23.
83	tn Grk “him”; the referent (the younger son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
84	tn Grk “he”; the referent (the older son, v. 25) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
85	tn The aorist verb ὠργίσθη (ōrgisthē) has been translated as an ingressive aorist, reflecting entry into a state or condition.
86	sn Ironically the attitude of the older son has left him outside and without joy.