Luke 15:15
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πορευθεὶς
he went
G4198
πορευθεὶς
he went
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
2 of 18
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἐκολλήθη
and joined himself
G2853
ἐκολλήθη
and joined himself
Strong's:
G2853
Word #:
3 of 18
to glue, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χώρας
country
G5561
χώρας
country
Strong's:
G5561
Word #:
8 of 18
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
ἐκείνης
of that
G1565
ἐκείνης
of that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
9 of 18
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔπεμψεν
he sent
G3992
ἔπεμψεν
he sent
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
11 of 18
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 18
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
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγροὺς
fields
G68
ἀγροὺς
fields
Strong's:
G68
Word #:
15 of 18
a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 18
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
Cross References
Historical Context
Swine herding was forbidden to Jews and considered among the most degrading occupations. The Mishnah later stated, 'Cursed is the man who raises swine.' For a Jewish son to tend pigs in Gentile territory represented complete apostasy and social death. He could never return to Jewish society in this condition; ritual uncleanness from prolonged pig contact was profound. Jesus's audience would understand this as picturing sin's ultimate degradation—what you flee to in rebellion becomes your prison and shame.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'swine' are you feeding—what degrading pursuits or relationships have you joined yourself to—in your attempt to survive apart from the Father?
- How does the contrast between 'son in the father's house' and 'slave feeding pigs' illustrate the destination of self-directed autonomy?
- In what ways has the pursuit of freedom from God's authority led you to enslavement to unclean things that defile and degrade your identity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country (καὶ πορευθεὶς ἐκολλήθη ἑνὶ τῶν πολιτῶν, kai poreutheis ekollēthē heni tōn politōn)—The verb kollaō (κολλάω, to join, cleave, glue) indicates desperate attachment. He 'glued himself' to a Gentile landowner out of necessity, a pathetic dependency replacing the sonship he abandoned. This is humanity attempting self-salvation through works: joining ourselves to false masters.
And he sent him into his fields to feed swine (καὶ ἔπεμψεν αὐτὸν εἰς τοὺς ἀγροὺς αὐτοῦ βόσκειν χοίρους, kai epempsen auton eis tous agrous autou boskein choirous)—For a Jewish audience, this is the nadir. Pigs were ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 11:7); even touching them caused defilement. Feeding swine represented absolute degradation, total abandonment of covenant identity. The son sought freedom but found slavery to uncleanness. Sin always takes you further than you intended to go and costs more than you intended to pay.