21 The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Father, I have sinned against heaven. Here is pointed out another branch of repentance, namely, such a conviction of sin as is accompanied by grief and shame. For he who is not grieved for having sinned, and whose offense is not placed before his eyes, will sooner attempt any thing than think of returning to the path of duty. Displeasure with sin must therefore go before repentance. And there is great emphasis in this expression, that the young man is said to have come to himself, as one whom the wanderings of wild desires had hurried away into forgetfulness of himself. And certainly so far astray are the impulses of the flesh, that any one who gives himself up to them may be said to have gone out of himself, and to have lost his senses. For this reason transgressors are commanded to return to the heart, [1] (Isaiah 46:8.) Next follows a confession, [2] not such a one as the Pope has contrived, but one by which the son appeases his offended father; for this humility is absolutely necessary in order to obtain forgiveness of sins. This mode of expression, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, is of the same import as if he had said, that God was offended in the person of an earthly father. And certainly this is the dictate of nature, that every one who rebels against a father rises wickedly also against God, who has placed children in subjection to parents.
1 - "A ceste cause en l'Escriture Dieu commande aux transgresseurs de retourner a leur coeur;" -- "For this reason, in Scripture God commands transgressors to return to their heart." In the authorized version the passage runs thus: Bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. -- Ed.
2 - "Apres la cognoissance du peche s'ensuit aussi la confession;" -- "after the knowledge of sin there follows also confession."
Make me as one of thy hired servants, is added here by several MSS. and versions; but it is evident this has been added, merely to make his conduct agree with his resolution, Luke 15:19. But by this a very great beauty is lost: for the design of the inspired penman is to show, not merely the depth of the profligate son's repentance, and the sincerity of his conversion, but to show the great affection of the father, and his readiness to forgive his disobedient son. His tenderness of heart cannot wait till the son has made his confession; his bowels yearn over him, and he cuts short his tale of contrition and self-reproach, by giving him the most plenary assurances of his pardoning love.
Bring forth the best robe - Bring out that chief garment, την στολην την πρωτην, the garment which was laid by, to be used only on birth-days or festival times. Such as that which Rebecca had laid by for Esau, and which she put on Jacob when she made him personate his brother. See the notes on Genesis 27:15.
Put a ring on his hand - Giving a ring was in ancient times a mark of honor and dignity. See Genesis 41:42; 1-Kings 21:8; Esther 8:2; Daniel 6:17; James 2:2.
Shoes on his feet - Formerly those who were captivated had their shoes taken off, Isaiah 20:1; and when they were restored to liberty their shoes were restored. See 2-Chronicles 28:15. In Bengal, shoes of a superior quality make one of the distinguishing parts of a person's dress. Some of them cost as much as a hundred rupees a pair; 10 or 12. Reference is perhaps made here to some such costly shoes. It is the same among the Chinese: some very costly shoes and boots of that people are now before me.
(4) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
(4) In true repentance there is a consciousness of our sins, joined with sorrow and shame, and from this springs a confession, after which follows forgiveness.
And the son said unto him, father,.... Or "my father", as the Syriac version reads; and the Persic version adds, "pardon me": sin lay heavy on him, and he wanted a view and application of pardoning grace, though he seems to be prevented making this request by the kiss he received from his father:
I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight; this is what he determined to say, and was allowed to say, having a deep sense of his sin and vileness, and which was increased by the love and kindness his father had shown him. The phrase is Jewish; See Gill on Luke 15:18 to which may be added, what is elsewhere said (c),
"what is the sense of that passage, Psalm 12:4 "who have said, with our tongues we will prevail?" &c. it designs all the transgressions a man sins against earth; and if , "they sin against heaven", and earth; what is the sense of that in Psalm 73:9?''
and am no more worthy to be called thy son: so much he was suffered to say, which fully expresses his sense of his vileness and unworthiness: but he was not allowed to say, "make me as one of thy hired servants"; because this could not be granted; for a son is always a son, and cannot become a servant; see Galatians 4:6.
(c) T. Hieros Peah, fol. 16. 1.
Father, I have sinned, &c.--"This confession is uttered after the kiss of reconciliation" (Ezekiel 16:63) [TRENCH].
*More commentary available at chapter level.