Luke 15:22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
the father
G3962
πατὴρ
the father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
4 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 28
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δούλους
servants
G1401
δούλους
servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
7 of 28
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 28
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στολὴν
robe
G4749
στολὴν
robe
Strong's:
G4749
Word #:
11 of 28
equipment, i.e., (specially), a "stole" or long-fitting gown (as a mark of dignity)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐνδύσατε
put it on
G1746
ἐνδύσατε
put it on
Strong's:
G1746
Word #:
15 of 28
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 28
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δότε
put
G1325
δότε
put
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
18 of 28
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
20 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρα
hand
G5495
χεῖρα
hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
22 of 28
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 28
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑποδήματα
shoes
G5266
ὑποδήματα
shoes
Strong's:
G5266
Word #:
25 of 28
something bound under the feet, i.e., a shoe or sandal
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
26 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Revelation 6:11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.Genesis 41:42And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;Esther 8:2And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.Isaiah 61:10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Esther 3:10And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.Revelation 7:9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;Revelation 19:8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.Romans 8:15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.Revelation 2:17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.Psalms 18:33He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern culture highly valued honor and shame. The father's lavish gifts publicly restored the son's honor before the household and village. The best robe would be visible to all, announcing the son's restored status. The ring granted legal authority—ancient business was transacted through sealed documents, and possession of the family signet meant power to represent the father. Shoes marked free status; slaves typically went barefoot or wore simple sandals.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the three gifts—robe, ring, and shoes—symbolize specific aspects of our salvation in Christ?
- What does the father's immediate restoration without probationary period teach about justification by grace through faith?
- How should the father's extravagant welcome shape the church's treatment of repentant believers who have wandered?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Grace erupts in immediate, extravagant restoration. The father addresses "his servants" (τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ, tous doulous autou), commanding them to clothe the son with symbols of full sonship, not the hired servant status the son proposed. The "best robe" (στολὴν τὴν πρώτην, stolēn tēn prōtēn) literally means "the first robe," likely referring to the finest garment reserved for honored guests or the father's own ceremonial robe—a covering that replaces the son's filthy, pig-stained rags with dignity and honor.
The "ring" (δακτύλιον, daktylion) placed on his hand signifies authority and family identity—signet rings sealed legal documents and represented the family name. This gift grants the son power to act in the father's name, conducting business and making binding commitments. The "shoes" (ὑποδήματα, hypodēmata) distinguish free sons from barefoot slaves—only servants and the poor went unshod. Each gift systematically reverses the son's degradation and restores full sonship privileges.
Theologically, these gifts picture justification and adoption. The robe represents Christ's righteousness covering our sin (Isaiah 61:10, Zechariah 3:3-5). The ring symbolizes the Holy Spirit as seal and pledge of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). The shoes indicate our freedom from slavery to sin and our status as beloved children (Galatians 4:5-7). The father's immediate, unconditional restoration—before any probation or penance—demonstrates that salvation is entirely God's gracious work, not earned through human effort.