Luke 15:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Held in the embrace, the son begins his rehearsed confession — but the request to be made a hired servant never leaves his lips.
What Does Luke 15:21 Mean?
The son says what he practiced in the pig field: "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son." But set this beside verse 19 and listen for what is missing — the closing line, "make me as one of thy hired servants," is never spoken.
Perhaps the kiss made the contract impossible to offer. The confession itself still matters: the true, humbling words are said in full, and the father does not wave them away. But grace will not let the son finish bargaining himself into the servants' quarters. Real repentance and real mercy meet exactly here — we own the sin entirely, and God owns us entirely. The arms around him are already the answer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 15:21
What does Luke 15:21 mean?
Held in the embrace, the son begins his rehearsed confession — but the request to be made a hired servant never leaves his lips.