---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Then drew near = Then were drawing near.  all . Put by Figure of speech  Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for a large number.  publicans = tax-gatherers"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/luke/15"
---

**Then drew near** = Then were drawing near.
**all** . Put by Figure of speech *Synecdoche* (of the Part), App-6 , for a large number.
**publicans** = tax-gatherers.
**for to hear** = to hear.

**Pharisees.** See App-120 . This settles the scope of all that follows.
**murmured** = were muttering. The word implies subdued threatening. Occurs only here and [Luke 19:7](../../../kjv/luke/19/7) .
**sinners** . See on [Matthew 9:10](../../../kjv/matthew/9/10) .

**this parable.** It had already been uttered in [Matthew 18:12-14](../../../kjv/matthew/18/12-14) with another object ([Luke 15:11](../../../kjv/luke/15/11) ), and with a different application ([Luke 15:14](../../../kjv/luke/15/14) ). It is now repeated, later, under different circumstances ([Luke 15:1](../../../kjv/luke/15/1) , [Luke 15:2](../../../kjv/luke/15/2) ), in combination with two other similar parables, with quite another application *(verses:* 6, 7; 9, 10; 23, 24). Hence the change of certain words.
**unto.** Greek. *pros.* App-104 .
**them.** This determines the scope of the three parables.

**man.** Greek. *anthropos.* App-123 . Here representing Christ.
**of** = from among. Greek. *ek.* App-104 .
**if he lose** = having lost.
**not** . Greek. *ou.* App-105 .
**in** . Greek. *en.* App-104 .
**wilderness** . A place of wild fertility. Compare [Luke 2:8](../../../kjv/luke/2/8) . after. *Greek. epi.* App-104 .
**until he find it?** Note the importance of this expression.

**when he hath found it** = having found it. In Matt., "If so be that he find it. "For the reason, see note on [Luke 15:3](../../../kjv/luke/15/3) .
**on.** Greek. *epi.* App-104 .
**his shoulders** = his own shoulders; not those of another.

**when he cometh** = having come.
**home** = into (Greek. *eis.* App-104 .) the house.
**with me** ; not with the sheep (because of the scope of the parable). See note on [Luke 15:3](../../../kjv/luke/15/3) . The joy is in heaven ([Luke 15:7](../../../kjv/luke/15/7) ).

**I** : i.e. I who know. [John 1:51](../../../kjv/john/1/51) .
**you** . Murmuring Pharisees. This is the point of the parable.
**heaven.** Singular. See notes on [Matthew 6:9](../../../kjv/matthew/6/9) , [Matthew 6:10](../../../kjv/matthew/6/10) .
**over** . Greek. *epi.* App-104 .
**that repenteth** = repenting. App-111 .
**just persons:** i.e. the Pharisees. Compare [Luke 15:2](../../../kjv/luke/15/2) ; [Luke 16:15](../../../kjv/luke/16/15) ; [Luke 18:9](../../../kjv/luke/18/9) . Greek. *ou.* App-105 .
**repentance.** App-111 . Compare [Matthew 3:2](../../../kjv/matthew/3/2) .

**Either** . This parable is recorded only in Luke.
**woman.** Here representing the Holy Spirit.
**ten** . See the Structures of [Luke 15:2](../../../kjv/luke/15/2) in the Luke book comments.
**pieces of silver.** Greek *drachmas.* Occurs only here, and in [Luke 15:9](../../../kjv/luke/15/9) . See App-51 .
**if she lose.** An uncertain contingency. App-118 .
**not** . Greek. *ouchi.* App-105 .
**candle** = lamp. App-130 .
**diligently** . A medical word. Used only here.
**till** . Same as "until" in [Luke 15:4](../../../kjv/luke/15/4) .

**friends** . Female friends (feminine)
**the piece.** Not "my", as in [Luke 15:6](../../../kjv/luke/15/6) .
**I had lost** = I lost. Compare "was lost" in [Luke 15:6](../../../kjv/luke/15/6) .

**is** = becomes, or takes place, or results. Same as "arose" in [Luke 15:14](../../../kjv/luke/15/14) .
**in the presence of** = before. It does not say that the angels rejoice; but it is the divine joy in their presence.
**God** . App-98 .

**And He said** . This parable is peculiar to this gospel. Seenote on [Luke 15:8](../../../kjv/luke/15/8) .
**man** (as in [Luke 15:4](../../../kjv/luke/15/4) ). Here representing the Father (God).
**two sons** . See the Structure (V3, above).

**give me** . Contrast "make me" ([Luke 15:19](../../../kjv/luke/15/19) ).
**the portion.** According to Jewish law, in the case of two sons the elder took two-thirds, and the younger one-third of movable property, at the father's death.
**goods** = movable property. Greek. *ousia.* Only here and [Luke 15:13](../../../kjv/luke/15/13) .
**falleth to me.** This is the technical term in the *Papyri,* in such cases. See Deissmann's *Light, &c.,* p. 152, and *Bib. Stud.,* p. 230.
**them** . Including the elder, who did not ask it.
**living.** Greek. *bios,* life. App-170 . Put by Figure of speech *Metonomy* (of Effect), App-6 , for his means or property which supported his life.

**after** . Greek *meta.* App-104 . Referring to the rapidity of the fall of Israel.
**took his journey** = went abroad.
**into** . Greek. *eis.* App-104 .
**far country.** Compare [Acts 2:39](../../../kjv/acts/2/39) . [Ephesians 2:17](../../../kjv/ephesians/2/17) .
**substance** = property. Same word as "goods" in [Luke 15:12](../../../kjv/luke/15/12) .
**with riotous living** = living ruinously. Greek. *asotos.* Occurs only here. The kindred noun *(asotia)* occurs only in [Ephesians 5:18](../../../kjv/ephesians/5/18) . [Titus 1:6](../../../kjv/titus/1/6) . [1 Peter 4:4](../../../kjv/1-peter/4/4) .

**when he had spent** = having spent. Greek. *dapanao.* Elsewhere *only* [Mark 5:26](../../../kjv/mark/5/26) . [Acts 21:24](../../../kjv/acts/21/24) . [2 Corinthians 12:15](../../../kjv/2-corinthians/12/15) .[James 4:3](../../../kjv/james/4/3) .
**in** = throughout. Greek. *kata.* App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: [Luke 15:4](../../../kjv/luke/15/4) , [Luke 15:7](../../../kjv/luke/15/7) , [Luke 15:25](../../../kjv/luke/15/25) .
**began to be in want** . Contrast "began to be merry" ([Luke 15:24](../../../kjv/luke/15/24) ).

**joined himself to** = cleaved to (Greek. *Pass. of kollao* glue together); i.e. he forced himself.
**a citizen** = one of the citizens. Contrast [Philippians 1:3](../../../kjv/philippians/1/3) , [Philippians 1:20](../../../kjv/philippians/1/20) .

**would fain have filled** = was longing to fill.
**with** = from. Greek. *apo.* App-104 .
**husks** = pods of the carob tree. Only here in N.T.
**did eat** = were eating.
**and.** Note the emphasis of the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* ( App-6 ), here.
**no man.** Greek. *oudeis,* compound of *ou* . App-105 .

**came to himself** . Compare "came to his father" *([Luke 15:20](../../../kjv/luke/15/20)* *).*
**to.** Greek. *eis.* App-104 .
**have bread enough and to spare** , or abound in food.
**I perish** = I (emph.) am perishing.
**with hunger** = from the famine. The texts add *hode =* here.

**to** . Greek. *pros.* App-104 .
**sinned** . App-128 .
**against** . Greek. *eis.* App-104 .
**heaven.** Singular with Art. See notes on [Matthew 6:9](../../../kjv/matthew/6/9) , [Matthew 6:10](../../../kjv/matthew/6/10) . "Heaven" put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Subject), App-6 , for God Himself.
**before.** Greek. *enopion.* Same word as in [Luke 15:10](../../../kjv/luke/15/10) "in the presence of".

**am no more worthy** = I no longer deserve. make me. Contrast "give me " ([Luke 15:12](../../../kjv/luke/15/12) ).

**came to his father** . Compare "came to himself" ([Luke 15:17](../../../kjv/luke/15/17) ).
**his** = his own.
**and.** Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* ( App-6 ).
**ran** . Compare [Isaiah 6:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/6/6) , "Then flew". See note on [Luke 15:21](../../../kjv/luke/15/21) , and compare [Isaiah 65:24](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/24) .
**kissed** = fervently kissed. Same word as in [Matthew 26:49](../../../kjv/matthew/26/49) .

**I have sinned** = I sinned. Confession *of* sin is the necessary condition for receiving the blessing. Compare [2 Samuel 12:13](../../../kjv/2-samuel/12/13) .[Psalms 32:5](../../../kjv/psalms/32/5) .[Isaiah 6:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/6/5) , [Isaiah 6:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/6/6) . [Isaiah 5:8](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/8) , &c. And so with Israel ([Leviticus 26:40-42](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/40-42) .[Isaiah 64:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/64/6) , [Isaiah 64:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/64/7) . [Hosea 5:15](../../../kjv/hosea/5/15) ; [Hosea 14:1](../../../kjv/hosea/14/1) , [Hosea 14:2](../../../kjv/hosea/14/2) ).
**in thy sight** . Same Greek words as "before thee" in [Luke 15:18](../../../kjv/luke/15/18) .
**son.** Note the Figure of speech *Aposiopesis* ( App-6 ), for he did not finish what he meant to have said.

**servants** = bond-servants.
**Bring forth.** L [Tr. ] A WH R add "quickly".
**best** = first. Either the first that comes to hand, or the former robe the son used to wear. See on [Genesis 27:15](../../../kjv/genesis/27/15) .
**and.** Note the Figure of speech *Polysyndeton* ( App-6 ), emphasizing each particular.
**put it on him** = clothe him with it.
**ring** = a signet-ring. Occurs only here. See [James 2:2](../../../kjv/james/2/2) , and compare [Genesis 41:42](../../../kjv/genesis/41/42) .
**on** = for (Greek. *eis.* App-104 .)
**shoes** = sandals. The ring and the sandals mark a free man. Servants went barefoot.

**kill it** = sacrifice it. It was a sacrificial feast.

**was** . Not the past tense of the verb "die", but of the verb "to be". He had been as a dead man (Greek. *nekros.* App-189 ) to his father.
**is found** = was; i.e. "when he came to himself" ([Luke 15:17](../../../kjv/luke/15/17) ), which shows that that was the result of the father's seeking. began, &c. Contrast "began to be in want" ([Luke 15:14](../../../kjv/luke/15/14) ).

**his elder son** . This is the point of the parable (Compare [Luke 15:2](../../../kjv/luke/15/2) ). It was addressed "unto them" specially *(v* 3), as the correction of their murmuring.
**musick and dancing.** Greek. symphonies and chorus, i.e. a "choral dance". Both words Occurs only here.

**called** = called to him.,
**servants** = young men. Greek. *pais* . See App-108 . Not the same word as in verses: [Luke 15:17](../../../kjv/luke/15/17) , [Luke 15:19](../../../kjv/luke/15/19) , [Luke 15:22](../../../kjv/luke/15/22) .
**asked** = began to inquire. Imperf. tense.
**meant** = might be.

**is come . . . safe and sound.** Corresponding with the father's dead and lost . . . alive and found ([Luke 15:24](../../../kjv/luke/15/24) ).

**he was angry** . Referring to the deep-seated feeling of the Pharisees against Messiah and those who followed Him. This increased steadily (and is seen to-day). Compare [Acts 11:2](../../../kjv/acts/11/2) , [Acts 11:3](../../../kjv/acts/11/3) , [Acts 11:17](../../../kjv/acts/11/17) , [Acts 11:18](../../../kjv/acts/11/18) ; [Acts 13:45](../../../kjv/acts/13/45) , [Acts 13:50](../../../kjv/acts/13/50) ; [Acts 14:5](../../../kjv/acts/14/5) , [Acts 14:19](../../../kjv/acts/14/19) ; [Acts 17:5](../../../kjv/acts/17/5) , [Acts 17:6](../../../kjv/acts/17/6) , [Acts 17:13](../../../kjv/acts/17/13) ; [Acts 18:12](../../../kjv/acts/18/12) , [Acts 18:13](../../../kjv/acts/18/13) ; [Acts 19:9](../../../kjv/acts/19/9) ; [Acts 21:27-31](../../../kjv/acts/21/27-31) ; [Acts 22:18-22](../../../kjv/acts/22/18-22) .[Galatians 5:11](../../../kjv/galatians/5/11) . [1 Thessalonians 2:14-16](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/14-16) ,
**would not go in** = was not willing ( App-102 .) to go in.
**intreated.** Greek. *parakaleo.* App-134 .

**Lo** . Greek. *idou.* App-133 . Figure of speech *Asterismos.* App-6 .
**neither transgressed I** , &c. This was the Pharisees' claim and boast. Compare [Luke 18:11](../../../kjv/luke/18/11) , [Luke 18:12](../../../kjv/luke/18/12) ; [Luke 18:18-21](../../../kjv/luke/18/18-21) .
**a kid.** In contrast with "the fatted calf" ([Luke 15:23](../../../kjv/luke/15/23) ). with. Greek. *meta.* App-104 .
**friends.** Contrast with harlots ([Luke 15:30](../../../kjv/luke/15/30) .

**thy son.** Not "my brother". Contrast with "thy brother" ([Luke 15:32](../../../kjv/luke/15/32) ).
**was come** = came as though a stranger. Not "returned".
**devoured** = eaten up. Contrast with [Luke 15:23](../../../kjv/luke/15/23) .
**thy.** Malignant thought.
**harlots.** Contrast with "my friends" ([Luke 15:29](../../../kjv/luke/15/29) ).

**Son** =. Child. Greek. *teknon.* Affectionately reminding him of his birth. App-108 .
**ever** = always. App-151 .
**all that I have.** See [Romans 9:4](../../../kjv/romans/9/4) , [Romans 9:5](../../../kjv/romans/9/5) , and compare [Matthew 20:14](../../../kjv/matthew/20/14) .

**It was meet.** Compare [Acts 11:18](../../../kjv/acts/11/18) .
**thy brother.** Contrast with "thy son" ([Luke 15:30](../../../kjv/luke/15/30) ).

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