^15:20So⁶⁰ he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home⁶¹ his father saw him, and his heart went out to him;⁶² he ran and hugged⁶³ his son⁶⁴ and kissed him. ^15:21Then⁶⁵ his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven⁶⁶ and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’⁶⁷^15:22But the father said to his slaves,⁶⁸ ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe,⁶⁹ and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger⁷⁰ and sandals⁷¹ on his feet! ^15:23Bring⁷² the fattened calf⁷³ and kill it! Let us eat⁷⁴ and celebrate, ^15:24because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’⁷⁵ So⁷⁶ they began to celebrate.

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Footnotes

60 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the son’s decision to return home. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.
61 Grk “a long way off from [home].” The word “home” is implied (L&N 85.16).
62 Or “felt great affection for him,” “felt great pity for him.” The major figure of the parable, the forgiving father, represents God the Father and his compassionate response. God is ready with open arms to welcome the sinner who comes back to him.
63 Grk “he fell on his neck,” an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome.
64 Grk “him”; the referent (the son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
65 Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
66 The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God. 1st century Judaism tended to minimize use of the divine name out of reverence.
67 The younger son launches into his confession just as he had planned. See vv. 18–19.
68 See the note on the word “slave” in .
69 With the instructions Hurry! Bring the best robe, there is a total acceptance of the younger son back into the home.
70 Grk “hand”; but χείρ (cheir) can refer to either the whole hand or any relevant part of it (L&N 8.30).
71 The need for sandals underlines the younger son’s previous destitution, because he was barefoot.
72 Grk “And bring.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
73 Or “the prize calf” (L&N 65.8). See also L&N 44.2, “grain-fattened.” Such a calf was usually reserved for religious celebrations.
74 The participle φαγόντες (phagontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
75 This statement links the parable to the theme of 15:6, 9.
76 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the father’s remarks in the preceding verses.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

NLTNew Living Translation

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And he set out and came to his own father. But while he was still a long way away, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight! I am no longer worthy to be called your son!’ But his father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! And bring the fattened calf—kill it and let us eat and celebrate, because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

KJV 1900King James Version

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

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