Luke 15:19
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄξιος
worthy
G514
ἄξιος
worthy
Strong's:
G514
Word #:
4 of 14
deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)
κληθῆναι
to be called
G2564
κληθῆναι
to be called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
5 of 14
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
υἱός
son
G5207
υἱός
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
6 of 14
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ποίησόν
make
G4160
ποίησόν
make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 14
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
10 of 14
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Cross References
Job 42:6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.Psalms 84:10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.Luke 5:8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.Genesis 32:10I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:1 Corinthians 15:9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Historical Context
First-century Jewish family structure made the son's offense catastrophic. Having demanded and wasted his inheritance, he had effectively killed his father in his heart. Return to the household would require village reconciliation ceremonies and profound humiliation. The son's strategy to become a hired servant reflects realistic assessment of his disgrace—he cannot claim family rights but hopes to survive economically while making restitution.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the son's plan to earn his way back as a hired servant reflect common misunderstandings about salvation by works?
- In what ways do believers sometimes try to 'pay God back' for grace rather than simply receiving it as free gift?
- What does the father's complete rejection of the hired servant proposal teach about God's insistence on full sonship for the redeemed?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. The prodigal's rehearsed confession reveals his profound awareness of unworthiness. The phrase "no more worthy" (οὐκέτι εἰμὶ ἄξιος, ouketi eimi axios) acknowledges complete forfeiture of sonship rights. Having squandered his inheritance, violated family honor, and lived among Gentiles with pigs, he recognizes the magnitude of his offense.
His request to become a "hired servant" (μίσθιος, misthios) shows both humility and calculation. Unlike household slaves (δοῦλοι, douloi) who belonged to the family, hired workers were day laborers paid wages, living outside the household. The son's plan seeks to earn his way back through labor—a works-based restoration befitting his shame. Yet this reveals incomplete understanding of grace: he envisions reinstatement through merit, not realizing the father's love transcends legal categories. The profound irony is that God's grace will not allow him this quasi-servitude—the father will restore him to full sonship (vv. 22-24), demonstrating that salvation is gift, not wage.