Luke Chapter 15 · Verse 12
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νεώτερος
the younger
G3501
νεώτερος
the younger
Strong's:
G3501
Word #:
4 of 20
"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate
αὐτοῖς
of them
G846
αὐτοῖς
of them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 20
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
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πάτερ
Father
G3962
Πάτερ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
7 of 20
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Πάτερ
Father
G3962
Πάτερ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 20
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
δός
give
G1325
δός
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
9 of 20
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπιβάλλον
that falleth
G1911
ἐπιβάλλον
that falleth
Strong's:
G1911
Word #:
12 of 20
to throw upon (literal or figurative, transitive or reflexive; usually with more or less force); specially (with g1438 implied) to reflect; impersonal
μέρος
the portion
G3313
μέρος
the portion
Strong's:
G3313
Word #:
13 of 20
a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
of them
G846
αὐτοῖς
of them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Historical Context
Jewish inheritance law (Deuteronomy 21:17) gave the firstborn a double portion; the younger son would receive one-third of the estate. Requesting inheritance before death was virtually unprecedented and shameful, implying impatience for the father's demise. The division would have been public, legally binding, and gossip-worthy. The father's compliance rather than disinheritance or discipline was equally shocking. Jesus's audience would have gasped at this opening, making the father's later welcome even more scandalous.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways have you treated God's gifts as entitlements while showing contempt for the Giver?
- How does the father's immediate granting of the son's destructive request illuminate God's respect for human freedom even when we choose rebellion?
- What does it reveal about divine love that the father divides his 'life' (bios), not just his property, to accommodate his son's departure?
Analysis & Commentary
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me (Πάτερ, δός μοι τὸ ἐπιβάλλον μέρος τῆς οὐσίας, Pater, dos moi to epiballon meros tēs ousias)—The son demands his inheritance (ousia, οὐσία, substance/property) while his father lives. The verb epiballō (ἐπιβάλλω, falling to, belonging to) indicates legal entitlement, but requesting it prematurely was culturally shocking—essentially saying 'I wish you were dead.'
And he divided unto them his living (καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοῖς τὸν βίον, kai dieilen autois ton bion)—The father grants the request immediately, dividing his bios (βίος, life, livelihood). This word means more than assets; it's his very life. The father absorbs the insult and loss without protest, imaging God's permission for human rebellion. He gives the son freedom to destroy himself, the terrible prerogative of genuine relationship. This is sovereign love's vulnerability.