Luke 15:13

After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator describes the younger son’s departure immediately after the father divides the estate in response to the son’s demand. This occurs at the precise moment the inherited property is consolidated and the son prepares to leave.

The words — συναγαγὼν (sunagōn) translates literally as "having gathered together," indicating the deliberate consolidation of his inherited assets before departure.

The thread — The narrative of departing for a distant place to pursue self-directed living runs parallel to the warning in Proverbs 21:17 that loving pleasure leads to poverty, and the pattern in Proverbs 29:3 where companions of prostitutes squander wealth.

Why it lands — The text records the factual sequence of gathering wealth, traveling far, and spending it on reckless living without moral commentary. It requires the reader to observe the direct causal link between the son’s chosen path and his subsequent ruin.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Cross-references

Proverbs 21:17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
Proverbs 29:3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Jeremiah 2:5 This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.
Proverbs 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course.
Proverbs 28:7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Luke 16:1 Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.
Luke 16:19 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
Job 21:13 They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace.