Bible Strands
Luke 15:28
The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the older son’s reaction after his father announces the celebration for the prodigal’s return. The father then leaves the festivities to personally entreat his reluctant son.
The words — ὠργίσθη (ōrgisthē) translates literally as “he was angry,” and οὐκ ἤθελεν εἰσελθεῖν (ouk ēthelen eiselthein) means “he was not willing to go in.”
The thread — This narrative of justified-seeming anger parallels Saul’s resentment in 1 Samuel 18:8, Cain’s fury in Genesis 4:5, and Jonah’s defiant wrath in Jonah 4:9.
Why it lands — The text states a son’s refusal to enter a celebration he deems unjust, requiring the reader to examine their own response to unmerited grace without assuming moral superiority.
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 was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 18:8 And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?”
- Genesis 4:5 but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
- Jonah 4:9 Then God asked Jonah, “Have you any right to be angry about the plant?” “I do,” he replied. “I am angry enough to die!”
- Luke 15:2 So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
- Isaiah 65:5 They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
- Jonah 4:1 Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry.
- Luke 7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”
- Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
- 1 Samuel 17:28 Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”
- Isaiah 66:5 You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”