Bible Strands
Luke 15:25
Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus narrates the parable while addressing his listeners, placing the older son in the field at the moment he nears the house and hears the celebration. The narrative shifts from the father’s declaration to the brother’s external position before he initiates any dialogue.
The words — The Greek δὲ (de) operates as a narrative pivot, translating literally as “now” or “meanwhile” to mark simultaneous action. ὁ πρεσβύτερος (ho presbúteros) literally means “the elder,” identifying the son by his birth status rather than his conduct.
The thread — The music and dancing align with celebratory worship patterns in Exodus 15:20, Jeremiah 31:4, and Psalms 150:4. These texts associate tambourines and dance with divine deliverance and communal restoration.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to note the older son’s physical and emotional distance from the household celebration. It demands observation of the contrast between external joy and internal isolation before any judgment or response is formed.
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
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
Cross-references
- Psalms 150:4 Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute.
- Jeremiah 31:4 Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing.
- Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.
- 2 Samuel 6:14 And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD,
- Psalms 126:1 A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.
- Psalms 149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.
- Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
- Luke 7:32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
- Luke 15:11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.
- Psalms 30:11 You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,