King James Version

What Does Luke 15:19 Mean?

Luke 15:19 in the King James Version says “And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

Luke 15:19 · KJV

Context

17

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20

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.

21

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. The prodigal's rehearsed confession reveals his profound awareness of unworthiness. The phrase "no more worthy" (οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος, ouketi eimi axios) acknowledges complete forfeiture of sonship rights. Having squandered his inheritance, violated family honor, and lived among Gentiles with pigs, he recognizes the magnitude of his offense.

His request to become a "hired servant" (μίσθιος, misthios) shows both humility and calculation. Unlike household slaves (δοῦλοι, douloi) who belonged to the family, hired workers were day laborers paid wages, living outside the household. The son's plan seeks to earn his way back through labor—a works-based restoration befitting his shame. Yet this reveals incomplete understanding of grace: he envisions reinstatement through merit, not realizing the father's love transcends legal categories. The profound irony is that God's grace will not allow him this quasi-servitude—the father will restore him to full sonship (vv. 22-24), demonstrating that salvation is gift, not wage.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish family structure made the son's offense catastrophic. Having demanded and wasted his inheritance, he had effectively killed his father in his heart. Return to the household would require village reconciliation ceremonies and profound humiliation. The son's strategy to become a hired servant reflects realistic assessment of his disgrace—he cannot claim family rights but hopes to survive economically while making restitution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the son's plan to earn his way back as a hired servant reflect common misunderstandings about salvation by works?
  2. In what ways do believers sometimes try to 'pay God back' for grace rather than simply receiving it as free gift?
  3. What does the father's complete rejection of the hired servant proposal teach about God's insistence on full sonship for the redeemed?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
καὶ1 of 14

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκέτι2 of 14

“no more”

G3765

not yet, no longer

εἰμὶ3 of 14

“am”

G1510

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ἄξιος4 of 14

“worthy”

G514

deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)

κληθῆναι5 of 14

“to be called”

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

υἱός6 of 14

“son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

σου7 of 14

“of thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

ποίησόν8 of 14

“make”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

με9 of 14

“me”

G3165

me

ὡς10 of 14

“as”

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἕνα11 of 14

“one”

G1520

one

τῶν12 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μισθίων13 of 14

“hired servants”

G3407

a wage-earner

σου14 of 14

“of thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 15:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 15:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 42:6Psalms 84:10Luke 5:8James 4:8-10Luke 7:6-7Genesis 32:10

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