After the analogies of the lost sheep and lost coin, Jesus continues the analogy of the prodigal son.
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:
Luke 15:29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
This one, however, answering said to that father of his, "Look, so many years I slaved for you and not at any time I overruled an order of yours and not at any time did you give a kid to me so that I might celebrate with those friends of mine
The word translated as "serve" and "slaving" is an uncommon word meaning "slave," the verb form of the common word translated as "servant" that means "slave”. Another uncommon word meaning "not at any time" is used here twice to emphasize the son's obeying his father and his not getting a goat. The word translated as "transgressed" and "obeyed" doesn't mean those things. It means "overruled" from a word that is translated differently each time it appears in Jesus's words.
How we treat others can sometimes can get other's goat.
ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ
This one, however, answering said to that father of his
Ἰδοὺ τοσαῦτα ἔτη δουλεύω σοι καὶ οὐδέποτε
"Look, so many years I am a slave to you and not at any time
ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον καὶ ἐμοὶ οὐδέποτε ἔδωκας ἔριφον
an order of yours I overruled and to me not at any time did you give a kid
ἵνα μετὰ τῶν φίλων μου εὐφρανθῶ:
so that with those friends of mine I might celebrate
(MWthe) And(WW) he answering said to his (MWthe) father, Lo, [these many(CW)] years do I serve thee, (MWand) neither transgressed(CW) I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never(CW) gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my (MWthe) friends:
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "but" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "father" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "these" or "many”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" after "thee" is not shown in the English translation.
- "CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "never”.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't precisely mean "transgressed”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "friends" is not shown in the English translation.
But (MWthe) he answered(WF) (MWsaid) his (MWthe)father, ‘Look! All these [All these(CW)] years I ’ve(WT) been(WM) slaving(WF) for you and never disobeyed(CW) your orders(WN). Yet you never(CW) gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my (MWthe) friends.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "but" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "answering”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "father" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "all" or "these”.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is the present tense.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "slaved" here is translated as passive but it is active.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not a participle "slaving", but an active verb, "slave”.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't precisely mean "disobeyed”.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "orders" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- "CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "never”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "friends" is not shown in the English translation.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
And -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" means "but”, "yet”, "however” and "on the other hand”. It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "and”.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
answering -- "Answering" is from a verb that means to "set apart”, "choose”, "answer" a question, "answer charges” and "defend oneself”. In the passive, it means "to be parted or separated" or "give answer to" a question. In the Gospels, it is always translated as "answer”. This is in the form of a participle, a verbal adjective.
said - The word translated as "speak" means "to say" and "to speak”. It is one of the two most common words translated "speak”, "say" and "tell" but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
to -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
his .-- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
father, -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers”. It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
Lo, -- "Lo" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!". "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways.
these many -- (CW) "These much" is a compound adjective that means literally "that which (or who) has to such an degree”. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "these" or "many”.
years - -"Years" is from a Greek word that means "year", "yearly" and "annually". It is also an uncommon word, used primarily by Luke.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
serve -- The Greek verb for "serve" means "to be a slave”. It is the verb form of the noun translated as "servant", which means "slave" or "bondsman".
thee, -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object of a verb or a preposition.
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
neither - "Neither...at any time" is from a Greek word that combines an extreme negative particle with the word that means "when”. The Greek negative is an adverb that means "not at all" or "no even". The second part means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time” and "at some time in the future”.
transgressed -- (CW) The word "transgressed " is from a verb that means one thing going by another, one thing surpassed by another, so "to be superior," or "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. The sense here is "overruled." This word doesn't precisely mean "transgressed”.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
at any time -- This completes that idea of the "neither”.
thy -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours”.
commandment: -- The word translated as "commandments" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
yet -- This completes that idea of the "never" below.
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
never - (CW) "Never" is from a Greek word that combine an extreme negative particle with the word that means "when”. The Greek negative is an adverb that means "not at all" or "no even”. The second part means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time”, and "at some time in the future”. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "never”.
gavest -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over”, "appoint”, "establish” and "to describe”. It is almost always translated as some form of "give”.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me”, "for me” and "by me”.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
kid, -- "Kid" is an uncommon noun for Jesus to used that means "kid".
that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that”, "when”, "in order that", "when”, or "because”. As an adverb it is translated as "there" as an adverb "in that place”, "there”, "where” or "when”.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
might -- This helping verb in English comes from the form of the Greek verb that indicates a possibility. We would usually say "might" or "should" in English.
make merry -- The Greek verb translated as "make merry" means "cheer", "gladden" and in the passive, "make merry" and "enjoy oneself". It is used only in parables by Luke, most commonly in the parable of the prodigal son.
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of”. It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time or pursuit.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my”, "me” and "mine”. Usually follows the noun so, "of mine”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
friends: -- "Friend" is an adjective means "loved”, "beloved”, "dear”, "kith and kin”, "nearest and dearest”, "friends”, and (of things) "welcome" and "pleasant”. It is an adjective used as a noun. In English, we would say "loved one”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but”, "yet”, "however" and "on the other hand”. It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "and”.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
answered -- (WF)"Answered" is from a verb that means to "set apart”, "choose”, "answer" a question, "answer charges” and "defend oneself". In the passive, it means "to be parted or separated" or "give answer to" a question. In the Gospels, it is always translated as "answer”. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "answering”.
missing "said " -- (MW) The untranslated word "said" means "to say" and "to speak”. It is one of the two most common words translated "speak”, "say" and "tell”, but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
his .-- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word correctly translated as third-person "his/him" in English. The word appears after the noun so the sense is "of his”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
father, -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers". It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
Look, -- "Look" is a verbal command meaning "See!" and "Look!" It is from the most common word meaning "to see" in Greek. In a humorous vein, it is also an adverbial exclamation like we use the phrase "ta-da" in a magic show, or "voila" in French which means "see there". "Look here!" or "See there!" comes closest in English. Jesus uses it both ways.
All these -- (CW) "All these" is a compound adjective that means literally "that which (or who) has to such a degree." This is not one of the common words usually translated as "all" or "these”.
years - -"Years" is from a Greek word that means "year", "yearly", and "annually". It is also an uncommon word, used primarily by Luke.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
’ve -- (WT) This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
been -- (WV) This helping verb "be" seems to indicate that the verb is passive but it is active.
slaving -- (WF) The Greek verb for "slaving" means "to be a slave”. It is the verb form of the noun translated as "servant", which means "slave" or "bondsman". This is not a participle, but an active verb.
for -- This word "to" comes from the indirect object form of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with”, "in”, "of”, "as”, "by”, "for”, "at”, or "on" depending on the context.
you -- The word for "you" is the indirect object form of the singular, second-person pronoun in the form of an indirect object of a verb or a preposition.
and -- The word “and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also” and "just”.
never - "Never...yet" is from a Greek word that combine an extreme negative particle with the word that means "when”. The Greek negative is an adverb that means "not at all" or "no even”. The second part means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time” and "at some time in the future”.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
disobeyed -- (CW) The word "pass" is from a verb that means one thing going by another, one thing surpassing by another, so "to be superior," or "passing" the time. It also has the sense of arriving to a place and to "pass" a test. This word doesn't precisely mean "transgressed”.
your -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours”.
orders: -- (WN) The word translated as "commandments" has the sense of a direct "order" or "command" given by someone as opposed to a body of law or tradition in society. Jesus uses it to refer to the written Law, his lessons, and the commands given by someone in authority. This word is not plural but singular.
Yet -- This completes that idea of the "never" above.
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
never - (CW) "Never" is from a Greek word that combine an extreme negative particle with the word that means "when”. The Greek negative is an adverb that means "not at all" or "no even". The second part means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time”, and "at some time in the future”. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "never”.
gave -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give", "to grant”, "to hand over”, "appoint”, "establish” and "to describe". It is almost always translated as some form of "give”.
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me", "for me” and "by me”.
even -- The word "even" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, “also" and "just”.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
young goat, -- "Young goat" is an uncommon noun for Jesus to used that means "kid".
so -- The word translated as "so" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that”, "when”, "in order that", "when” or "because”. As an adverb it is translated as "there". As an adverb "in that place”, "there”, "where” or "when”.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
could -- This helping verb in English comes from the form of the Greek verb that indicates a possibility. We would usually say "might" or "should" in English.
celebrate -- The Greek verb translated as "make merry" means "cheer", "gladden", and in the passive, "make merry" and "enjoy oneself". It is used only in parables by Luke, most commonly in the parable of the prodigal son.
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of”. It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my”, "me” and "mine”. Usually follows the noun so, "of mine”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
friends: -- "Friend" is an adjective means "loved”, "beloved”, "dear”, "kith and kin”, "nearest and dearest”, "friends” and (of things) "welcome" and "pleasant”. It is an adjective used as a noun. In English, we would say "loved one”.
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but”, "yet”, "however" and "on the other hand”. It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then”. In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand”. In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet”. After an interruption, "so then". It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if").
ἀποκριθεὶς [17 verses] (part sg aor pass masc nom) "Answering" is from apokrinomai that means to "set apart”, "choose", "exclude”, "reject on examination”, "decide”, "answer" the question, "answer charges” and "defend oneself" and, in the passive, "to be parted or separated”. In the passive, it means "to be parted or separated" or "give answer to" a question.
εἶπεν [162 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "I have called" is eipon, which means "to speak", "to say”, "to recite”, "to address", "to mention”, "to name”, "to proclaim”, "to plead”, "to promise” and "to offer”. This is the second most common word Jesus uses for this idea. The other word is used more for discussion. Perhaps translating it consistently as "tell" would work.
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
πατρὶ [191 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Father" is pater, which means "father”, "grandfather”, "author”, "parent”, and "forefathers”.
αὐτοῦ [142 verses](adv/adj sg masc gen) "His/" is autou, which is the singular adjective used as the genitive pronoun, which is used as a possessive form or the object of prepositions and sometimes verbs as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord”. In its adverbial form, this means "just here" or "exactly there”. This form is often used as the object of a preposition, “him”. This form of an object of a preposition means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time. Though the form is masculine, it refers to masculine words, not people. The masculine form is used to refer to people in general, not just men.
Ἰδοὺ [52 verses](adv, verb 2nd sg aor imperat mid) "Lo" is idou, which means "to behold”, "to see” and "to perceive”. It acts as an adverbial phrase in this form meaning "Lo! Behold!”and "See there!' It is a form of the verb eido, which means "to see”. This Greek word was translated into the Latin ecce, "behold”.
τοσαῦτα [4 verses](adj sg fem acc) "These many" is tosoutos, which means "so much", "thus much", "so far", "so large", and "so tall".
ἔτη [6 verses] (noun pl neut nom/acc) "Years" is from etos, which means "year", "yearly", and "annually".
δουλεύω (3 verses) (verb 1st sg pres ind act) "Do I serve," is from douleuo, which means to "be a slave", "serve", "be subject", "make oneself a slave", "accommodate oneself” and "render a service”.
σοὶ [81 verses](pron 2nd sg dat) "Thee" is soi which is the singular, second-person pronoun, "you”, in the form of an indirect pronoun.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and", or "also”. After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also”. Also used to give emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”. In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also”. After words implying sameness "as”.
οὐδέποτε [5 verses](adv) "Neither...at any time" is oudepote, which means "and not ever", "but not when", "nor ever", "not even ever” and "never”. It is a compound of oude, and pote. Oude, as a conjunction, means "but not", "neither", and "nor”. As an adverb, it means "not at all" and "not even”. Pote means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other", "at some unknown time” and "at some time in the future”.
ἐντολήν [23 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Commandments" is entole which means "injunction”, "order” and "command”.
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
παρῆλθον, [5 verses](verb 1st sg aor ind act or verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "I transgressed" is parerchomai, which means "go by”, "pass by”, "outstrip" (in speed), "to be superior”, "pass away”, "outwit”, "past events" (in time), "disregard”, "pass unnoticed" and "pass without heeding”.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "also”. After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also" and "just”. In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as”.
ἐμοὶ [96 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which can be the object of some prepositions and as the object of a verb means "to me", "for me" and "by me”. An indirect object of a preposition, itn implies no movement, but in a fixed position.
οὐδέποτε [5 verses](adv) "Never...yet" is oudepote, which means "and not ever", "but not when", "nor ever", "not even ever” and "never”. It is a compound of oude, and pote. Oude, as a conjunction, means "but not", "neither" and "nor”. As an adverb, it means "not at all" and "not even”. Pote means "when", "at what time", "at some time or other”, "at some unknown time” and "at some time in the future”.
ἔδωκας [147 verses] (verb 2nd sg aor ind act) "Thou...gavest" is is didomi, which means "to give”, "to grant”, "to hand over”, "appoint", "establish” and "to describe”.
ἔριφον [3 verses] (noun sg masc acc) "Kid" is from eriphos, which means "young goat" and "kid”.
ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place", "there”, "where”, "when” but when beginning a phrase "so that”, "in order that”, "when” and "because”. It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction.
μετὰ [103 verses](prep) "With" is meta, which means "with", "in the midst of”, "among”, "between”, "in common”, "along with”, "by the aid of”, "in one's dealings with”, "into the middle of”, "coming into”, "in pursuit of”, "after”, "behind”, "according to”, "after”, "behind” and "next afterward”. With genitive, it means generally, "with”, "together with”, "in the midst of”, "among”, "between”, "in common”, "along with”, "by the aid of” and "in conjunction with”. With genitive, with pl. Nouns "in the midst of”, "among”, "between”, "in common”, "along with", of things, "in conjunction with”, rarely of Time, "during”. "With dative, "between”, "among", "in company with”, with a number "complete" and "over and above". Generally, "among”, "between” with both indirect (dative) and direct (accusative) object. With direct objects: of motion, "into the middle of”, "coming into or among”, esp. where a number of persons is implied, “in pursuit or quest of”, of persons, "to go after”, "in quest of”, of sequence or succession, of Place, "after”, "behind”, "on the far side of", of Time, "after”, "next to”, in order of Worth, Rank, etc., "next after”, "following”, "to be inferior to”. As a prefix, it means "of community", "in common with another”, "in the midst of”, "succession of time”, "pursuit”, "letting go”, "after”, “behind", and "reversely”.
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
φίλων [17 verses](adj pl masc gen) "Friend" is from philos, which as an adjective means "loved”, “beloved”, "dear”, "kith and kin”, "nearest and dearest”, "friends” and (of things) "welcome" and "pleasant”.
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me”, and "mine”. It is in a possessive (genitive) form. As a genitive of a preposition here, it implies movement away from something or a position away from something else.
εὐφρανθῶ: [7 verses] (verb 1st sg aor subj pass) "Make merry" is euphraino, which means "cheer", "gladden" and in the passive, "make merry", "enjoy oneself”.