(KJV)
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
(NASB2020)
I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and ▼in your sight;
(NET2full)
I will
get up and
go to my father and say to
him, “
Father, I have
sinned ▼▼sn In the confession “
I have sinned” there is a recognition of wrong that pictures the penitent coming home and “being found.”
against heaven ▼▼sn The phrase
against heaven is a circumlocution for God.
and against ▼▼tn According to BDAG 342 s.v.
ἐνωπιον 4.a, “
in relation to ἁμαρτάνειν ἐ.
τινος sin against someone Lk 15:18,
21 (cp. Jdth 5:17; 1 Km 7:6; 20:1).”
you.
(KJV)
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
(NASB2020)
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’
(NET2full)
I
am no longer worthy to be
called your son; treat me ▼▼tn Or “make me.” Here is a sign of total humility.
like one of
your hired workers.”’
(KJV)
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.
(NASB2020)
So he set out and came to ▼his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and ▼ hembraced him and kissed him.
(NET2full)
So ▼▼tn Here
καί (
kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the son’s decision to return home. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.
he
got up and
went to his father.
But while he
was still a
long way from home
▼▼tn Grk “a long way off from [home].” The word “home” is implied (L&N 85.16).
his father saw him,
and his
heart went out to him;
▼▼tn Or “felt great affection for him,” “felt great pity for him.”
▼▼sn The major figure of the parable, the forgiving
father, represents God the Father and his compassionate response. God is ready with open arms to welcome the sinner who comes back to him.
he
ran and
hugged ▼▼tn Grk “he fell on his neck,” an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome.
his son ▼▼tn Grk “him”; the referent (the son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
and kissed him.
(KJV)
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.
(NASB2020)
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and ▼in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
(NET2full)
Then ▼▼tn Here
δέ (
de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
his
son said to
him, ‘
Father, I have
sinned against heaven ▼▼sn The phrase
against heaven is a circumlocution for God. 1st century Judaism tended to minimize use of the divine name out of reverence.
and against you; I
am no longer worthy to be
called your son.’ ▼▼sn The younger son launches into his confession just as he had planned. See vv.
18-19.
