Luke Chapter 15 · Verse 32
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Original Language Analysis
εὐφρανθῆναι
that we should make merry
G2165
εὐφρανθῆναι
that we should make merry
Strong's:
G2165
Word #:
1 of 19
to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e., rejoice
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
χαρῆναι
be glad
G5463
χαρῆναι
be glad
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
4 of 19
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
ἔδει
meet
G1163
ἔδει
meet
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
5 of 19
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφός
brother
G80
ἀδελφός
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
8 of 19
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
οὗτος
this
G3778
οὗτος
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 19
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπολωλὼς
lost
G622
ἀπολωλὼς
lost
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
16 of 19
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Luke 15:24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.Isaiah 35:10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.Psalms 51:8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.Romans 3:4God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.Hosea 14:9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.Luke 7:34The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!Romans 3:19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Historical Context
The elder brother represents the Pharisees—dutiful external service without heart transformation, resentment of grace shown to sinners, entitlement mentality ('thou never gavest me a kid,' v.29). His refusal to enter the feast mirrors Pharisaic rejection of Jesus' fellowship with sinners. The father's patient appeal ('Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine,' v.31) demonstrates God's kindness even to the self-righteous, inviting them to abandon their merit-based religion for grace. The parable warns that legalistic religion can be as far from God as scandalous sin.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the elder brother's resentment expose the danger of religious duty without genuine love for God?
- In what ways might you identify more with the elder brother than the prodigal, and how should this shape your response to God's grace?
Analysis & Commentary
The father responds to the elder brother: 'It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found' (εὐφρανθῆναι δὲ καὶ χαρῆναι ἔδει, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος νεκρὸς ἦν καὶ ἔζησεν, καὶ ἀπολωλὼς καὶ εὑρέθη). The verb 'edei' (ἔδει, it was necessary) indicates moral obligation—celebration is the only appropriate response to resurrection from death. The father's 'this thy brother' (ὁ ἀδελφός σου οὗτος) reminds the elder son of family relationship, countering his bitter 'this thy son' (v.30). The dead/alive, lost/found contrasts frame salvation as resurrection and recovery, not mere moral improvement. The parable's open ending (we do not know if the elder brother joins the feast) leaves the Pharisees to decide their response to God's grace.