Luke 15:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱός
son
G5207
υἱός
son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
5 of 20
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
Πάτερ
Father
G3962
Πάτερ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
6 of 20
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἥμαρτον
I have sinned
G264
ἥμαρτον
I have sinned
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
εἰς
against
G1519
εἰς
against
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
8 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
10 of 20
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 20
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 #:
17 of 20
deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)
κληθῆναι
to be called
G2564
κληθῆναι
to be called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
18 of 20
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
Cross References
Psalms 51:4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.Jeremiah 3:13Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.1 Corinthians 8:12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.Psalms 143:2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.Romans 2:4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Historical Context
In Jewish understanding, sin was primarily offense against God's covenant, His law, and His holiness. The son's confession "against heaven" uses a Jewish circumlocution for God—"heaven" often substituted for the divine name out of reverence. His recognition of both vertical and horizontal dimensions of sin reflects proper Hebrew theology. The public nature of his offense (violating family honor, wasting inheritance among Gentiles) would require equally public confession and reconciliation in first-century Jewish culture.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the son's confession model the essential elements of genuine repentance before God?
- Why does the father interrupt the confession before the son can propose earning his way back as a servant?
- What does the dual nature of sin—against heaven and against people—teach about the comprehensive offense of rebellion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. The prodigal's actual confession mirrors his rehearsed speech (v. 19) but gets interrupted before he can propose becoming a hired servant. His confession contains three crucial elements: acknowledgment of sin "against heaven" (εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, eis ton ouranon), recognizing that sin is ultimately against God; confession of sin "in thy sight" (ἐνώπιόν σου, enōpion sou), acknowledging personal offense against his father; and declaration of unworthiness for sonship.
The phrase "I have sinned" (ἥμαρτον, hēmarton) uses the aorist tense, indicating a decisive, completed action—genuine acknowledgment, not excuse-making. The dual direction of his sin—"against heaven" and "in thy sight"—reflects the theological truth that all sin is both vertical (against God) and horizontal (against others). David's confession in Psalm 51:4, "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned," emphasizes sin's primary offense against God, even when it harms others.
Significantly, the father interrupts before the son can complete his planned request to become a hired servant (compare v. 19). Grace overtakes penance. The father's actions (vv. 22-24) demonstrate that God's forgiveness is not earned through self-abasement but freely given to the genuinely repentant. True repentance acknowledges unworthiness, but God's response transcends our expectations—He restores us to sonship, not servitude.