Luke 15:27
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 22
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
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφός
brother
G80
ἀδελφός
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
7 of 22
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἥκει
is come
G2240
ἥκει
is come
Strong's:
G2240
Word #:
9 of 22
to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔθυσεν
hath killed
G2380
ἔθυσεν
hath killed
Strong's:
G2380
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, to rush (breathe hard, blow, smoke), i.e., (by implication) to sacrifice (properly, by fire, but genitive case); by extension to immolate (s
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατήρ
father
G3962
πατήρ
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
13 of 22
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
19 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὑγιαίνοντα
safe and sound
G5198
ὑγιαίνοντα
safe and sound
Strong's:
G5198
Word #:
20 of 22
to have sound health, i.e., be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine)
Historical Context
Servants in first-century households participated in family celebrations and understood family dynamics. This servant's joy in reporting the younger son's return contrasts with the elder brother's impending anger. The detail about the fatted calf communicated the extraordinary nature of the celebration—this wasn't routine hospitality but a once-in-a-lifetime feast marking profound family restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the servant's emphasis on 'thy brother' and 'thy father' reveal the relational essence of the gospel?
- What does the phrase 'safe and sound' teach about salvation as complete restoration, not merely legal forgiveness?
- Why might believers sometimes resist celebrating when God receives back the lost 'safe and sound'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. The servant's report emphasizes three key elements: family relationship ("thy brother"), the father's extravagant celebration ("killed the fatted calf"), and the cause—the son's safe return. The phrase "safe and sound" (ὑγιαίνοντα, hygiainonta) means healthy, whole, sound—not merely alive but restored to wellness. The father celebrates not just the son's survival but his wholeness.
The servant's perspective reflects proper gospel understanding. He identifies the returned prodigal as "thy brother"—family relationship is central. He credits the celebration to "thy father"—the father's joy drives the feast, not the son's merit. The phrase "because he hath received him" (ὅτι ὑγιαίνοντα αὐτὸν ἀπέλαβεν, hoti hygiainonta auton apelaben) uses the verb apolambanō (ἀπολαμβάνω), meaning to receive back, recover, reclaim what was lost. The father hasn't merely accepted a stranger but recovered his son.
This servant's simple report contains profound theology: salvation is about family restoration, God's initiative and joy, and the complete healing of those who return. The elder brother will hear this same truth but respond with resentment (vv. 28-30), demonstrating that knowing gospel facts doesn't guarantee gospel joy. Information without transformation breeds religion without relationship.