King James Version

What Does Luke 15:20 Mean?

Luke 15:20 in the King James Version says “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 r... — study this verse from Luke chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 15:20 · KJV


Context

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.

22

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:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prodigal returns: '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' (καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα ἑαυτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὰ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν). The father's actions are shocking: he sees the son 'a great way off' (μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος, suggesting he was watching), feels deep compassion (ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, visceral mercy), runs (δραμὼν, undignified for a Middle Eastern patriarch), falls on his neck, and kisses him repeatedly (κατεφίλησεν, intensive form). This demonstrates God's eager, undignified, overwhelming love for repentant sinners—He does not wait for full penance but rushes to embrace.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, elderly men never ran—it required hitching up one's robe, exposing legs, appearing undignified. The father's running demonstrated his extraordinary love, overcoming cultural propriety. His actions preempt the son's prepared speech (vv.18-19), not demanding full contrition before granting forgiveness. The embrace and kiss signal complete restoration, contradicting the son's hope for mere servant status. This parable's climax reveals the gospel: God's grace exceeds our expectations, forgiveness precedes works, and divine love takes the initiative in reconciliation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the father's undignified running challenge your mental picture of God's response to repentance?
  2. What does the father's interruption of the son's confession teach about the relationship between repentance and forgiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

And

G2532

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

ἀναστὰς2 of 29

he arose

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἦλθεν3 of 29

and came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρὸς4 of 29

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τὸν5 of 29
G3588

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

πατὴρ6 of 29

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἑαυτοῦ7 of 29

his

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἔτι8 of 29

was yet

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

δὲ9 of 29

But

G1161

but, and, etc

αὐτόν10 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μακρὰν11 of 29

a great way

G3112

at a distance (literally or figuratively)

ἀπέχοντος12 of 29

off

G568

(actively) to have out, i.e., receive in full; (intransitively) to keep (oneself) away, i.e., be distant (literally or figuratively)

εἶδεν13 of 29

saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

αὐτόν14 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

15 of 29
G3588

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

πατὴρ16 of 29

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

αὐτόν17 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ18 of 29

And

G2532

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

ἐσπλαγχνίσθη19 of 29

had compassion

G4697

to have the bowels yearn, i.e., (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity

καὶ20 of 29

And

G2532

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

δραμὼν21 of 29

ran

G5143

which uses ????? <pronunciation strongs="drem'-o"/> (the base of g1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figurativ

ἐπέπεσεν22 of 29

and fell

G1968

to embrace (with affection) or seize (with more or less violence; literally or figuratively)

ἐπὶ23 of 29

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸν24 of 29
G3588

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

τράχηλον25 of 29

neck

G5137

the throat (neck), i.e., (figuratively) life

αὐτόν26 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ27 of 29

And

G2532

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

κατεφίλησεν28 of 29

kissed

G2705

to kiss earnestly

αὐτόν29 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


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 15:20 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 15:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study