Luke 15:21-22

15:21 Then ¹  his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven ²  and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ³  15:22 But the father said to his slaves, ⁴  ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe, ⁵  and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger ⁶  and sandals ⁷  on his feet!

[15:21]  ¹ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[15:21]  ² sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God. 1st century Judaism tended to minimize use of the divine name out of reverence.

[15:21]  ³ sn The younger son launches into his confession just as he had planned. See vv. 18-19.

[15:22]  ⁴ tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.

[15:22]  ⁵ sn With the instructions Hurry! Bring the best robe, there is a total acceptance of the younger son back into the home.

[15:22]  ⁶ tn Grk “hand”; but χείρ (ceir) can refer to either the whole hand or any relevant part of it (L&N 8.30).

[15:22]  ⁷ sn The need for sandals underlines the younger son’s previous destitution, because he was barefoot.