Luke 15:16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπεθύμει
he would fain
G1937
ἐπεθύμει
he would fain
Strong's:
G1937
Word #:
2 of 17
to set the heart upon, i.e., long for (rightfully or otherwise)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοιλίαν
belly
G2836
κοιλίαν
belly
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
5 of 17
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 17
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
ἀπὸ
with
G575
ἀπὸ
with
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κερατίων
the husks
G2769
κερατίων
the husks
Strong's:
G2769
Word #:
9 of 17
something horned, i.e., (specially) the pod of the carob-tree
ὧν
that
G3739
ὧν
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 17
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἤσθιον
did eat
G2068
ἤσθιον
did eat
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
11 of 17
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
15 of 17
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
Cross References
Isaiah 44:20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?Psalms 142:4I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.Lamentations 4:5They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.
Historical Context
Carob pods (κεράτια, keratia) were edible but considered animal food, eaten by humans only in extreme famine. The long brown pods from the carob tree provided some nutrition but were fodder, not food. That no one gave him even these scraps shows his complete social abandonment. In Mediterranean culture, hospitality was sacred; refusing to feed even a destitute stranger was shocking. The son had become less than human in his new society's eyes—not even worthy of animal feed. This is sin's destination.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'husks'—inadequate substitutes for God—are you attempting to satisfy your soul with?
- How does the experience of 'no one gave to him' reveal the bankruptcy of seeking life, meaning, and satisfaction apart from the Father?
- In what ways is your current spiritual hunger actually God's severe mercy to make you dissatisfied with anything less than Himself?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat (καὶ ἐπεθύμει χορτασθῆναι ἐκ τῶν κερατίων ὧν ἤσθιον οἱ χοῖροι, kai epethymei chortasthēnai ek tōn keratiōn hōn ēsthion hoi choiroi)—The verb epithymeō (ἐπιθυμέω, to desire strongly) indicates intense craving. He 'desired to be satisfied' (chortasthēnai, χορτασθῆναι) with carob pods (keratia, κεράτια), animal fodder. This images humanity's spiritual starvation: attempting to satisfy soul-hunger with what is fit only for beasts.
And no man gave unto him (καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ, kai oudeis edidou autō)—The imperfect tense 'was giving' shows continuous refusal. The world that seemed so attractive during rebellion now withholds even survival-level charity. This is the bankruptcy of the far country: it takes everything and gives nothing. Yet this destitution becomes the crisis of grace—only when cisterns fail do we return to the fountain (Jeremiah 2:13).