But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

LUKE 15:30KJV
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Luke 15:30 (KJV)

What does Luke 15:30 mean?

Luke 15:30 shows the older son complaining to his father that, while the younger son wasted the family's wealth on immoral living, the father still celebrated his return by killing the best calf for him. The verse highlights the older son's sense of injustice and resentment over his brother's welcome.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable to a crowd, and the older son is speaking to his father after the return of his younger brother—the "prodigal son." The older son points out that his brother "devoured thy living with harlots," yet the father responds with generosity. This moment reveals the older son's feelings of being overlooked and his struggle to understand his father's forgiveness.

The Greek behind Luke 15:30

  • "devoured" (κατέφαγεν, katéphagen): This word means to consume or waste completely, emphasizing how thoroughly the younger son squandered his inheritance.
  • "living" (βίον, bíon): This word refers to livelihood or means of living, showing that the younger son wasted not just money, but the resources that supported the family.
  • "harlots" (πόρναις, pórnais): This word means prostitutes, making the accusation specific and highlighting the shameful nature of the younger son's actions.
  • "fatted" (σιτευτόν, sitéuton): This describes the specially fattened calf, reserved for a significant celebration, showing the extravagance of the father's welcome.

Why Luke 15:30 matters

  • Luke 15:30 clarifies the depth of the older son's resentment, making it clear that he sees his brother's actions as not just foolish but deeply shameful and undeserving of reward.
  • The verse brings out the contrast between the father's joyful forgiveness and the older son's sense of fairness, which is a key tension in the parable.
  • This complaint helps set up the father's response in the next verses, which explains the heart of the parable: the nature of grace and forgiveness.

Where else these words appear

“fatted” Greek G4618 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
  • Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

“calf” Greek G3448 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
  • Luke 15:27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
  • Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

“living” Greek G979 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
  • Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
  • 2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

“harlots” Greek G4204 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
  • Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.