Lukas 15:21

21 And bno said to the Abba, Avi, I sinned against Shomayim and in your sight. No longer do I have the zchus (merit) to be worthy to be called your ben. [Psa 51:6(4)]

Lukas 15:21 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 15:21

And the son said unto him, father
Or "my father", as the Syriac version reads; and the Persic version adds, "pardon me": sin lay heavy on him, and he wanted a view and application of pardoning grace, though he seems to be prevented making this request by the kiss he received from his father:

I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight;
this is what he determined to say, and was allowed to say, having a deep sense of his sin and vileness, and which was increased by the love and kindness his father had shown him. The phrase is Jewish; (See Gill on Luke 15:18) to which may be added, what is elsewhere said ^F3,

``what is the sense of that passage, ( Psalms 12:4 ) "who have said, with our tongues we will prevail?" &c. it designs all the transgressions a man sins against earth; and if (Mymvb Nyajwx) , "they sin against heaven", and earth; what is the sense of that in ( Psalms 73:9 ) ?''

and am no more worthy to be called thy son:
so much he was suffered to say, which fully expresses his sense of his vileness and unworthiness: but he was not allowed to say, "make me as one of thy hired servants"; because this could not be granted; for a son is always a son, and cannot become a servant; see ( Galatians 4:6 Galatians 4:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 T. Hieros Peah, fol. 16. 1.

Lukas 15:21 In-Context

19 I no longer have the zchus (merit) worthy to be called a ben of my Abba. Make me as one of your sachirim (hired workers).

20 And when he got up he came home to his own Abba. And while he was still a long way off, his Abba saw him, and was filled with rachmei Shomayim (heavenly mercy, compassion) and tears, and fell upon his neck and kissed him. [Gn 45:14]

21 And bno said to the Abba, Avi, I sinned against Shomayim and in your sight. No longer do I have the zchus (merit) to be worthy to be called your ben. [Psa 51:6(4)]

22 But his Abba said to his avadim, Shnel! (Quick!) Bring out the best kaftan and clothe him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals for his feet, [ZECHARYAH 3:4; BERESHIS 41:42]

23 And bring the fattened calf, and slaughter it, and let us eat and have a simcha,