Luke Chapter 15 · Verse 21

Authorized King James Version

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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

εἶπεν said G2036
εἶπεν said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 1 of 20
to speak or say (by word or writing)
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 20
but, and, etc
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
ἐνώπιόν in G1799
ἐνώπιόν in
Strong's: G1799
Word #: 12 of 20
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
σου thy G4675
σου thy
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 13 of 20
of thee, thy
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
οὐκέτι no more G3765
οὐκέτι no more
Strong's: G3765
Word #: 15 of 20
not yet, no longer
εἰμὶ am G1510
εἰμὶ am
Strong's: G1510
Word #: 16 of 20
i exist (used only when emphatic)
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)
υἱός son G5207
υἱός son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 19 of 20
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
σου thy G4675
σου thy
Strong's: G4675
Word #: 20 of 20
of thee, thy

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.

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