Luke 15:19

19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers." '

Luke 15:19 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 15:19

And am no more worthy to be called thy son
As all the Jews were; not only by creation, and providential care, as all men are; but by national adoption: and however worthy this man might think himself to be called a Son of God before, and value himself upon it; he now sees, and was ready to own his unworthiness to be called so in any sense; and much more to be called and accounted a Son of God by special adoption;

make me as one of thy hired servants;
this is said not from a servile spirit, but to express the mean thoughts he had of himself, and the great desire he had to be fed from his father's table, in the meanest way; and what an happiness and honour it would be to him, could he be the meanest in his family, a doorkeeper in his house; which was more eligible to him, than to dwell in the tents of sin, or continue in this hungry and starving condition.

Luke 15:19 In-Context

17 "At last he came to his senses and said, `Any number of my father's hired workers have food to spare; and here I am, starving to death!

18 I'm going to get up and go back to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you;

19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers." '

20 So he got up and started back to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him warmly.

21 His son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son --'