Luke 15:31
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 16
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
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Romans 9:4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;Romans 11:1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Historical Context
With the younger son receiving his portion (v. 12), the entire remaining estate legally belonged to the elder son. The father possessed only use rights during his lifetime; ownership had transferred. The father's statement is literal truth—everything visible at the feast, every resource expended, every asset of the household belongs to the elder son. His resentment demonstrates profound blindness to his actual wealth and privilege.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the father's tender address 'Son' despite the elder brother's bitter accusations model God's patient love toward the self-righteous?
- What does the elder brother's resentment despite having 'all that I have is thine' reveal about the blindness of works-based religion?
- In what ways do believers today live in spiritual poverty despite possessing 'all spiritual blessings in Christ'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. The father's response contains no rebuke, only gentle correction and affirmation. The address "Son" (τέκνον, teknon) is tender—a diminutive form expressing affection, roughly "my child." Despite the elder brother's bitter accusations and public disrespect, the father speaks with love, affirming the relationship the son has denied. This models God's patient grace toward self-righteous believers who resent His mercy to others.
The phrase "thou art ever with me" (σὺ πάντοτε μετ' ἐμοῦ εἶ, sy pantote met' emou ei) reminds the son of his privileged position. He has enjoyed unbroken fellowship with the father—no far country, no pig pens, no hunger. His complaint about never receiving a goat ignores the vastly superior blessing of constant presence and relationship. He's been measuring material gifts while missing the relational treasure.
The declaration "all that I have is thine" (πάντα τὰ ἐμὰ σά ἐστιν, panta ta ema sa estin) reveals the son's astonishing ingratitude. The father's entire estate belongs to him—he could have thrown a thousand feasts if he wanted. His complaint exposes that he's never understood his inheritance, never grasped that sonship means ownership of all the father's wealth. This pictures believers who live like spiritual paupers despite possessing "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). The elder brother's poverty is self-imposed, his joylessness self-inflicted.