What is the meaning of Luke 15:21? The son declared • The young man has just returned from the distant country (Luke 15:20) and now chooses transparency over silence. • His willingness to speak echoes Psalm 32:5 — “I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity.” • True repentance is never merely felt; it is voiced (Romans 10:10). Openness with the Father is the first tangible step home. Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you • By addressing God first (“heaven”), he admits that every offense is ultimately vertical (Psalm 51:4; Genesis 39:9). • By adding “and against you,” he faces the personal damage done to his earthly relationship, modeling Matthew 5:23-24. • No excuses appear. He owns the rebellion described earlier in Luke 15:13-14, aligning with 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” I am no longer worthy to be called your son • The prodigal measures his worthiness by performance and sees only failure (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23). • He does not bargain for rights but throws himself on mercy, mirroring the tax collector’s posture in Luke 18:13. • Ironically, his unworthiness becomes the doorway to grace; the Father will restore sonship purely out of love (Ephesians 2:4-5). summary Confession spoken, sin admitted both God-ward and man-ward, and unworthiness acknowledged—Luke 15:21 paints a full picture of repentance. The verse reminds us that honest words, humble hearts, and a clear view of our need set the stage for the Father’s overwhelming forgiveness and restoration. |
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