King James Version

What Does Luke 15:29 Mean?

Luke 15:29 in the King James Version says “And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy comman...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:”

Luke 15:29 · KJV

Context

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.

28

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30

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

31

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Read Luke 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. The elder brother's complaint lays bare his mercenary heart. His words "I serve thee" (δουλεύω σοι, douleuō soi) use the verb for slave labor, not the loving service of a son. He views himself as an employee earning wages, not a child enjoying inheritance. The phrase "these many years" (τοσαῦτα ἔτη, tosauta etē) emphasizes his perceived merit—he's tallying years like an accountant, calculating what he's owed.

His claim "neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment" (οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, oudepote entolēn sou parēlthon) reveals self-righteousness rivaling the Pharisees'. He believes his external conformity has been perfect, meriting reward. Yet his present anger, resentment, and lovelessness expose the falsity of this claim—he's transgressing the greatest commandments (love God, love neighbor) even as he protests innocence.

The complaint "thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends" betrays multiple heart issues: (1) entitlement—he deserves a feast; (2) ingratitude—ignoring that all the father's wealth is his (v. 31); (3) selfishness—he wants to party with friends, not family; (4) comparative bitterness—measuring his treatment against the prodigal's. This is works-righteousness in its essence: viewing God as debtor, service as transaction, and grace to others as personal injustice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

A young goat (kid) was considerably less valuable than the fatted calf, making the elder brother's complaint more bitter—he's been more faithful yet receives less. In his economy of merit, this is unjust. However, his claim to have never transgressed any commandment would ring hollow to Jesus' audience, who knew the universal sinfulness of humanity and the impossibility of perfect law-keeping (Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the elder brother's slave language ('I serve thee') reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of sonship versus servitude?
  2. What does his claim of perfect obedience expose about self-righteous blindness to one's own sin?
  3. In what ways do believers today keep score with God, resenting His generosity to others while ignoring their own blessings?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
ὁ1 of 27
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 27

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀποκριθεὶς3 of 27

“he answering”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

εἶπεν4 of 27

“said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τῷ5 of 27
G3588

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

πατρὶ6 of 27

“to his father”

G3962

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

Ἰδού,7 of 27

“Lo”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

τοσαῦτα8 of 27

“these many”

G5118

apparently from g3588 and g3739) and g3778 (including its variations); so vast as this, i.e., such (in quantity, amount, number of space)

ἔτη9 of 27

“years”

G2094

a year

δουλεύω10 of 27

“do I serve”

G1398

to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)

σοι11 of 27

“thee”

G4671

to thee

καὶ12 of 27

“and”

G2532

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

οὐδέποτε13 of 27

“at any time”

G3763

not even at any time, i.e., never at all

ἐντολήν14 of 27

“commandment”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

σου15 of 27

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

παρῆλθον16 of 27

“transgressed I”

G3928

to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert

καὶ17 of 27

“and”

G2532

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

ἐμοὶ18 of 27

“me”

G1698

to me

οὐδέποτε19 of 27

“at any time”

G3763

not even at any time, i.e., never at all

ἔδωκας20 of 27

“gavest”

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἔριφον21 of 27

“a kid”

G2056

a kid or (genitive case) goat

ἵνα22 of 27

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μετὰ23 of 27

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν24 of 27
G3588

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

φίλων25 of 27

“friends”

G5384

actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)

μου26 of 27

“my”

G3450

of me

εὐφρανθῶ·27 of 27

“I might make merry”

G2165

to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e., rejoice

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 15:29 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 15:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 18:11-12Zechariah 7:3Luke 17:10Romans 10:3Luke 19:21Matthew 20:12

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