Luke 15:18-19

15:18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned 1  against heaven 2  and against 3  you. 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me 4  like one of your hired workers.”’

Luke 15:21

15:21 Then 5  his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven 6  and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 7 

1 sn In the confession “I have sinned” there is a recognition of wrong that pictures the penitent coming home and “being found.”

2 sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God.

3 tn According to BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνωπιον 4.a, “in relation to ἁμαρτάνειν ἐ. τινος sin against someone Lk 15:18, 21 (cf. Jdth 5:17; 1 Km 7:6; 20:1).”

4 tn Or “make me.” Here is a sign of total humility.

5 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

6 sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God. 1st century Judaism tended to minimize use of the divine name out of reverence.

7 sn The younger son launches into his confession just as he had planned. See vv. 18-19.