23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.

Other Translations of Luke 15:23

King James Version

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

English Standard Version

23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

The Message

23 Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time!

New King James Version

23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;

New Living Translation

23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 15:23

Commentary on Luke 15:17-24

(Read Luke 15:17-24)

Having viewed the prodigal in his abject state of misery, we are next to consider his recovery from it. This begins by his coming to himself. That is a turning point in the sinner's conversion. The Lord opens his eyes, and convinces him of sin; then he views himself and every object, in a different light from what he did before. Thus the convinced sinner perceives that the meanest servant of God is happier than he is. To look unto God as a Father, and our Father, will be of great use in our repentance and return to him. The prodigal arose, nor stopped till he reached his home. Thus the repenting sinner resolutely quits the bondage of Satan and his lusts, and returns to God by prayer, notwithstanding fears and discouragements. The Lord meets him with unexpected tokens of his forgiving love. Again; the reception of the humbled sinner is like that of the prodigal. He is clothed in the robe of the Redeemer's righteousness, made partaker of the Spirit of adoption, prepared by peace of conscience and gospel grace to walk in the ways of holiness, and feasted with Divine consolations. Principles of grace and holiness are wrought in him, to do, as well as to will.