Luke 15:20

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — No one speaks; the verse is pure action. The son has rehearsed his confession (v. 19) and is on his way, still far from the house.

The words — ἔτι (eti), "still," marks that the father acts while the son is a long way off, before any words are exchanged.

The thread — The father's unearned compassion mirrors the character of God in Psalms 86:5 and 86:15, and his refusal to deal according to the son's sin echoes Psalms 103:10.

Why it lands — The reader is positioned as the son who has rehearsed a confession but has not yet arrived; the father's running is the part of the story the reader must decide to believe.

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 he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Cross-references

Psalms 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.
Psalms 86:5 For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.
Psalms 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Genesis 46:29 Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely.
Deuteronomy 30:2 and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey His voice with all your heart and all your soul according to everything I am giving you today,
Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!
Genesis 33:4 Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.
Job 33:27 Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
Isaiah 57:18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,