Luke 15

1 The Pharisees murmure because Christ receiveth sinners. 3 which Christ defends by a similitude of a strayed sheep, 8 and of a lost penny, both which are sought with diligence, and found again with joy: 11 and further by the similitude of the lost sonne, whom returning with sorrow the Father receives joy fully, 25 and defends his so doing against the mur muring of the eldest brother.

1. And all the publicans [That is, from all the places thereabouts] and the sinners [that is, they that lived in publick gross sins. See Psalms 1:1. Matth. 9. 10.] drew near unto him for to hear him.

2. And the Pharisees and the Scribes murmured, saying, This (man) receiveth sinners, and eat with them.

3. And he spake unto them this similitude, [Gr. Parable] saying,

4. What man among you having a hundred sheep, and losing one of them, doth not leave the ninietie and nine in the wilderness and goeth after that which is lost until he find the same?

5. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoycing.

6. And coming home , he calleth the friends and neighbours together, saying unto them, Rejoyce with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost:

7. I say unto you, that so there shall be joy in heaven, [Namely, among the Angels of God, as is hereafter expounded, verse 10.] for one sinner that repenteth (more) then for the ninetie and nine righteous (ones) [that is, which are not so gone astray, as it is Matth. 18.13. and therefore need not to repent them of such gross going astray or sin. Although otherwise even the most holy have need to repent from their daily infirmities. James 3:2. 1 John 1:8. Others hereby the righteous understand those which wrongfully perswade themselves that they are righteous, and that they have no need of repentance. Matth.9.12 Luke18.9.] that have no need of repentance.

8. Or what women have ten pence [Gr. druchmes, the value whereof is all one with Romane denarius, or Spanish ryall, and the Dutch shilling. See Matth. 18 .28.] if she loses one pennie, doth not light a candle, and sweeps the house (with besomes) and seeketh deligently until she findeth (it)?

9. And when she hath found (it) she calleth her she friends and neighbours together, saying rejoce with me, for I have found the pennie which I had lost.

10. So (I say unto you) there is joy before the Angels of God for one sinner that repenteth.

11. And he said a certain man had two sons, [By this as also the two former similitudes, Christ sets before our eyes the readiness and willingness of God, graciously to receive sinners when they repent, and would thereby prove against the murmuring of the Pharisees, that he then also did well when he conversed with sinners for to bring them repentance, and that they ought much rather to rejoice at it.]

12. And the youngest [Gr. younger] said unto the Father, Father give me the portion of goods that belongeth to (me.) [That is, which should fall to me; namely after thy death. See v.30.31.] And he parted unto them the goods. [Gr. the living, or livelihood, i.e. the means whereof to live.]

13. And not many daies after, the youngest son having gathered all together, traveled away into a Land (lying) afar off, and there wasted his goods [Gr. scattered or consumed] living prodigally.

14. And when he had spent it all, there was a great, [Or strong, or violent] femine in that Land, and he began to suffer want.

15. And he went his way and joined himself to one of the Cities of the same Country: and he sent him into his Land [Gr. Fields] to feed the Swine.

16. And he desired to fill his belly with the draffe, [Or keratia, which properly signifies , the pilings, husks or shells of certain fruits, like as the pease and beanes have, which in those Landes they gave the hogs to eat, as here we give them draffes or swill. Or as others think a certain fruit in those Countries, which poor people and hogs eat, like as in some places arcnes are eaten] which the swine did eat, [that is used to eat] and no man gave them unto him.

17. And being come to himself [or going into himself] he said, how many hirelings of my Father have bread in abundance, and I perish with hunger?

18. I will arise and go to my Father, and I will say unto him, Father I have sinned against heaven, [That is God, which is in heaven, as Daniel 4:26. Matthew 21:25.] and before thee.

19. And I am no worthy to be called thy Son: make me as one of the hirelings.

20. And rising up he went up to his Father: And when he was yet farre (from him) his Father saw him, and was moved with inward compassion: and running (to him) fell upon his neck, and kissed him.

21. And the son said unto him, Father I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no worthy to be called thy son.

22. But the Father said unto his servants, bring forth (hither) the best garment, [Gr. the first stole. Stoles were long garments like gownes. See Mark 12:38.] and put it on him, and give a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

23. And bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.

24. For this my son was dead, and is become alive again: and he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.

25. And his Eldest son [Gr. Elder] was in the field, and as he came and approached to the house, he had the singing and dancing. [Gr. Choron, which signifies the company of people that daunce and sing together, or make other merriment.]

26. And having called unto him one of the servants, he asked what that might be.

27. And he said unto him , thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fattest calf , because he hath received him again in health.

28. But he was wrath and would not go in; therefore his father went out and in treated him. Or perswaded him that he would come in, or called him.]

29. But he answering said unto his father, loe I (have) served thee (now) so many years, and have never transgressed thy commandments, and thou never gavest me a kid, that I might be merry with my friends.

30. But when this thy son was come, which hath wasted [Gr. eaten up, or devoured] thy substance [Gr. living or livelyhood as v. 12.] with harlots ,thou hast slain for him the fattest calf.

31. And he said unto him child, thou art always with me, and all that is mine is thine, [That is, will at last belong to thee, for the younest had away his substance.]

32. I was therefore to be merry and glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is become alive again: and he was lost, and is found.