Luke 15:20

So ¹  he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home ²  his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; ³  he ran and hugged ⁴  his son ⁵  and kissed him.

Ge 33:4; Ge 45:14; Ge 46:29; De 30:2-4; Job 33:27,28; Ps 86:5,15; Ps 103:10-13; Isa 49:15; Isa 55:6-9; Isa 57:18; Jer 31:20; Eze 16:6-8; Ho 11:8; Mic 7:18,19; Ac 2:39; Ac 20:37; Eph 2:13,17

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the son’s decision to return home. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.

² tn Grk “a long way off from [home].” The word “home” is implied (L&N 85.16).

³ tn Or “felt great affection for him,” “felt great pity for him.”

sn The major figure of the parable, the forgiving father, represents God the Father and his compassionate response. God is ready with open arms to welcome the sinner who comes back to him.

⁴ tn Grk “he fell on his neck,” an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome.

⁵ tn Grk “him”; the referent (the son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.