Luke 15:26
New International Version
So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.

New Living Translation
and he asked one of the servants what was going on.

English Standard Version
And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

Berean Standard Bible
So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.

Berean Literal Bible
And having called near one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things might be.

King James Bible
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

New King James Version
So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

New American Standard Bible
And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.

NASB 1995
“And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.

NASB 1977
“And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things might be.

Legacy Standard Bible
And summoning one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things could be.

Amplified Bible
So he summoned one of the servants and began asking what this [celebration] meant.

Christian Standard Bible
So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he summoned one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

American Standard Version
And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.

Contemporary English Version
So he called one of the servants over and asked, "What's going on here?"

English Revised Version
And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He called to one of the servants and asked what was happening.

Good News Translation
So he called one of the servants and asked him, 'What's going on?'

International Standard Version
So he called to one of the servants and asked what was happening.

Majority Standard Bible
So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.

NET Bible
So he called one of the slaves and asked what was happening.

New Heart English Bible
He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

Weymouth New Testament
Then he called one of the lads to him and asked what all this meant.

World English Bible
He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having called near one of the young men, he was inquiring what these things might be,

Berean Literal Bible
And having called near one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things might be.

Young's Literal Translation
and having called near one of the young men, he was inquiring what these things might be,

Smith's Literal Translation
And having called one of his servants, he inquired what these may be.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant.

New American Bible
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.

New Revised Standard Version
He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he called one of the boys, and asked him what it was all about.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He called one of the boys and he asked him, “What is this?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he called to him one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

Godbey New Testament
And calling one of the servants, asked him what these things might be.

Haweis New Testament
And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant.

Mace New Testament
and calling one of the servants, he ask'd what was the occasion of it,

Weymouth New Testament
Then he called one of the lads to him and asked what all this meant.

Worrell New Testament
And, calling to him one of the young men, he inquired of him, what these things might be.

Worsley New Testament
and he called one of the servants to him, and asked what these things meant.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
25Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’…

Cross References
Matthew 20:11-12
On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner. / ‘These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’

Matthew 21:28-32
But what do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first one and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ / ‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went. / Then the man went to the second son and told him the same thing. ‘I will, sir,’ he said. But he did not go. ...

Matthew 25:24-30
Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ...

John 8:35
A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Galatians 4:7
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.

Ephesians 2:19
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

Hebrews 3:5-6
Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. / But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.

1 John 3:1-2
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. / Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

Genesis 4:4-5
while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, / but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 27:41
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

Genesis 37:4
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Exodus 32:17-18
When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, “The sound of war is in the camp.” / But Moses replied: “It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!”

Numbers 11:28-29
Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” / But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”

1 Samuel 18:8-9
And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” / And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.


Treasury of Scripture

And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

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Inquired Inquiring Lads Meant Questioning Servants Summoned Young
Luke 15
1. The parable of the lost sheep;
8. of the piece of silver;
11. of the prodigal son.














So he called one of the servants
In this phrase, the word "called" is translated from the Greek word "φωνέω" (phonéō), which means to summon or to call out. This action signifies a desire for understanding and clarity. The man in the parable seeks information from someone who serves in the household, indicating a hierarchy and a reliance on those who are in positions to observe and report. The servant, in this context, represents those who are often in the background but possess valuable insights. This reflects the biblical principle that wisdom and understanding can come from unexpected places, and it encourages believers to seek counsel and knowledge from those who may not be in positions of power but have a clear view of the situation.

and asked what was happening
The word "asked" comes from the Greek "ἐπυνθάνομαι" (epynthanomai), which implies an inquiry or investigation. This suggests a proactive approach to understanding, rather than passively accepting what is seen or heard. The man’s inquiry reflects a natural human curiosity and a desire to comprehend the events unfolding around him. In a broader spiritual sense, this encourages believers to seek understanding and wisdom, to ask questions, and to pursue knowledge about their faith and the workings of God in their lives. The phrase "what was happening" indicates a search for truth and clarity, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture as believers are called to discern the times and understand God's will.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he called
προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesamenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4341: To call to myself, summon. Middle voice from pros and kaleo; to call toward oneself, i.e. Summon, invite.

one
ἕνα (hena)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

servants
παίδων (paidōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3816: Perhaps from paio; a boy, or, a girl, and a child; specially, a slave or servant.

[and] asked
ἐπυνθάνετο (epynthaneto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4441: To ask, inquire, ascertain by inquiry, understand.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

was going on.
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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NT Gospels: Luke 15:26 He called one of the servants (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 15:25
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