Luke 15

Luke 15:1

THe publicanes] Who were odious to the Jewes, because they gathered up the customes and taxes for Caesar.

and finners for to hear him] Meaning notorious sinners; for all are sinners.

Luke 15:4

What man of you] Matthew 18:12. The scope of all these similitudes, is to teach them the bounty of God, and his care of poor sinners recovery; and how they that are truely sanctified, are so farre from envying the conversion of other sinners, that they heartily rejoyce thereat.

Luke 15:7

just persons] Which seem just to themselves, having no sense of their sinnes, and need of repentance. See Proverbs 30:12. Ecclesiastes 7:22. Or those who continue in the right way. Psalms 119:1.

Luke 15:8

tenpices of silver] Drachma here translated a piece of silver, is the eighth part of an ounce, which commeth to seven pence half-peny, and is equall to the Roman peny, Matthew 18:28.

Luke 15:12

give me the portion] That which thou intendest to give me for my portion.

Luke 15:16

and no man gave unto him] For no man had pitie on him, to give meat to relieve him.

Luke 15:17

he came to himself] Hitherto he was like a mad or drunken man, not knowing what he did; but necessity brought him to his right mind.

Luke 15:18

against heaven] Against God.

Luke 15:20

yet a great way off] This intimateth Gods preventing grace toward us.

Luke 15:22

forth the best robe] Signifying the robe of Christs righteousnesse.

Luke 15:24

And they began to be merry] This is the same which is expressed, v. 7. 10.

Luke 15:25

his elder sonne] By which is meant, he that taketh himselfe to be just, as v. 29. or is so accounted of others, who never ran out into any apparent exorbitancie, as the Gentiles did; and so the elder brother might signifie the Jewes: or that hath continued in an upright course of life.

safe] Gr. in health.