Luke 15:23
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐνέγκαντες
bring hither
G5342
ἐνέγκαντες
bring hither
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
2 of 10
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θύσατε
and kill
G2380
θύσατε
and kill
Strong's:
G2380
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), i.e., (by implication) to sacrifice (properly, by fire, but genitive case); by extension to immolate (s
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Isaiah 25:6And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.Psalms 63:5My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
Historical Context
In first-century agrarian society, killing the fatted calf represented extraordinary expense and generosity. Most families ate meat rarely, reserving it for Passover, weddings, or significant religious festivals. The father's command to slaughter this valuable asset demonstrates grace's extravagance—no expense is too great to celebrate a lost son's return. The feast would include the entire village, publicly honoring the son and announcing his full restoration to the community.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the father's extravagant celebration teach about God's emotional response to repentant sinners?
- How does the sacrificial death of the fatted calf foreshadow Christ's necessary death to enable our feast with God?
- In what ways should the church's celebration of new believers and restored backsliders mirror the father's joyful feast?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. The father commands a feast of unprecedented celebration. The "fatted calf" (τὸν μόσχον τὸν σιτευτόν, ton moschon ton siteyton) was a young bull specially fattened for important occasions—weddings, major festivals, or distinguished guests. Killing this calf meant the whole village would feast, for one household could not consume an entire calf. The father's joy overflows into community-wide celebration.
The phrase "let us eat, and be merry" (φαγόντες εὐφρανθῶμεν, phagontes euphranthōmen) uses the verb euphraínō (εὐφραίνω), meaning to rejoice exceedingly, celebrate festively, make merry with gladness. This is no restrained acknowledgment but explosive, uncontainable joy. The imperative mood and plural form ("let us") invite all to share the father's delight—servants, neighbors, the entire household must join the celebration.
This feast anticipates the messianic banquet Jesus repeatedly described (Luke 14:15-24, Matthew 22:1-14). Heaven celebrates every sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10), and the return of the lost occasions divine rejoicing that demands expression. The sacrificial death of the fatted calf also foreshadows Christ's sacrifice—celebration of the redeemed is only possible through substitutionary death. Just as the calf's death enables the feast, Christ's death enables our welcome into God's kingdom and our place at His table.