Luke 15:29
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answering
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
he answering
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
3 of 27
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρὶ
to his father
G3962
πατρὶ
to his father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
6 of 27
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τοσαῦτα
these many
G5118
τοσαῦτα
these many
Strong's:
G5118
Word #:
8 of 27
apparently from g3588 and g3739) and g3778 (including its variations); so vast as this, i.e., such (in quantity, amount, number of space)
δουλεύω
do I serve
G1398
δουλεύω
do I serve
Strong's:
G1398
Word #:
10 of 27
to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐντολήν
commandment
G1785
ἐντολήν
commandment
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
14 of 27
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
παρῆλθον
transgressed I
G3928
παρῆλθον
transgressed I
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
16 of 27
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔδωκας
gavest
G1325
ἔδωκας
gavest
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
20 of 27
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
A young goat (kid) was considerably less valuable than the fatted calf, making the elder brother's complaint more bitter—he's been more faithful yet receives less. In his economy of merit, this is unjust. However, his claim to have never transgressed any commandment would ring hollow to Jesus' audience, who knew the universal sinfulness of humanity and the impossibility of perfect law-keeping (Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the elder brother's slave language ('I serve thee') reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of sonship versus servitude?
- What does his claim of perfect obedience expose about self-righteous blindness to one's own sin?
- In what ways do believers today keep score with God, resenting His generosity to others while ignoring their own blessings?
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Analysis & Commentary
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. The elder brother's complaint lays bare his mercenary heart. His words "I serve thee" (δουλεύω σοι, douleuō soi) use the verb for slave labor, not the loving service of a son. He views himself as an employee earning wages, not a child enjoying inheritance. The phrase "these many years" (τοσαῦτα ἔτη, tosauta etē) emphasizes his perceived merit—he's tallying years like an accountant, calculating what he's owed.
His claim "neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment" (οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον, oudepote entolēn sou parēlthon) reveals self-righteousness rivaling the Pharisees'. He believes his external conformity has been perfect, meriting reward. Yet his present anger, resentment, and lovelessness expose the falsity of this claim—he's transgressing the greatest commandments (love God, love neighbor) even as he protests innocence.
The complaint "thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends" betrays multiple heart issues:
This is works-righteousness in its essence: viewing God as debtor, service as transaction, and grace to others as personal injustice.