Luke 15:16
New International Version
He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

New Living Translation
The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

English Standard Version
And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

Berean Standard Bible
He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.

Berean Literal Bible
And he was longing to fill his belly from the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving to him.

King James Bible
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

New King James Version
And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

New American Standard Bible
And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything.

NASB 1995
“And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

NASB 1977
“And he was longing to fill his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he was desiring to be fed with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

Amplified Bible
He would have gladly eaten the [carob] pods that the pigs were eating [but they could not satisfy his hunger], and no one was giving anything to him.

Christian Standard Bible
He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He longed to eat his fill from the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any.

American Standard Version
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

Contemporary English Version
He would have been glad to eat what the pigs were eating, but no one gave him a thing.

English Revised Version
And he would fain have been filled with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No one in the country would give him any food, and he was so hungry that he would have eaten what the pigs were eating.

Good News Translation
He wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat.

International Standard Version
No one would give him anything, even though he would gladly have filled himself with the husks the pigs were eating.

Majority Standard Bible
He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.

NET Bible
He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

New Heart English Bible
And he wanted to fill himself with the carob pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave to him.

Weymouth New Testament
and he longed to make a hearty meal of the pods the swine were eating, but no one gave him any.

World English Bible
He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he was desirous to fill his belly from the husks that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving to him.

Berean Literal Bible
And he was longing to fill his belly from the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving to him.

Young's Literal Translation
and he was desirous to fill his belly from the husks that the swine were eating, and no one was giving to him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he eagerly desired to fill his belly with the fruits of the horntree which the swine ate: and none gave to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him.

New American Bible
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.

New Revised Standard Version
He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he craved to fill his stomach with the husks that the swine were eating; and yet no man would give him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he longed to fill his belly from the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no man was giving anything to him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods which the swine did eat. And no one gave to him.

Godbey New Testament
and he was desiring to fill his stomach from the pods, which the swine were eating: and no one gave unto him:

Haweis New Testament
And he eagerly longed to fill his belly with the charob berries which the swine did eat: and no person gave him a morsel.

Mace New Testament
for he would have been contented to have liv'd upon the carruways, with which they usually fed the swine: but nobody would supply him.

Weymouth New Testament
and he longed to make a hearty meal of the pods the swine were eating, but no one gave him any.

Worrell New Testament
And he was longing to be filled with the pods which the swine were eating; and no one was giving to him.

Worsley New Testament
And he would gladly have filled his belly with the husks which the swine did eat: and no man relieved him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. 17Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death!…

Cross References
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 34:10
Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Proverbs 13:25
A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

John 6:35
Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Psalm 107:9
For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?

1 Timothy 6:8
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

Deuteronomy 8:3
He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Psalm 23:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

1 Kings 17:12-16
But she replied, “As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die.” / “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, / for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave to him.

he would.

Isaiah 44:20
He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

Isaiah 55:2
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Lamentations 4:5
They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

that.

Psalm 73:22
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

no.

Psalm 142:4
I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.

Isaiah 57:3
But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.

Jonah 2:2-8
And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice…

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Ate Belly Desirous Eat Eating Fain Fed Fill Filled Glad Gladly Great Hearty Longed Meal Need Pigs Stomach Swine Wanted
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Luke 15
1. The parable of the lost sheep;
8. of the piece of silver;
11. of the prodigal son.














He longed
The Greek word used here is "ἐπεθύμει" (epethymei), which conveys a deep desire or craving. This longing is not just a casual wish but an intense yearning, highlighting the depth of the prodigal son's desperation. In a spiritual sense, this reflects the human soul's deep longing for fulfillment, which can only truly be satisfied by returning to God. The prodigal son's longing symbolizes the emptiness that comes from pursuing worldly pleasures and the innate desire to return to the Father's love.

to fill his belly
The phrase "to fill his belly" indicates a basic, primal need for sustenance. The Greek word for "belly" is "κοιλία" (koilia), often used to describe the innermost part of a person. This suggests that the prodigal son's need was not just physical but also spiritual. In a broader sense, it represents humanity's attempt to fill the void in their lives with material or earthly things, which ultimately cannot satisfy the deeper spiritual hunger.

with the pods
The "pods" refer to the carob pods, which were commonly used as animal fodder in ancient times. The Greek word "κεράτιον" (keration) is used here, indicating something of low value and typically not consumed by humans. This highlights the depth of the prodigal son's fall from grace, as he is now willing to eat what is considered unfit for human consumption. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for the degradation that comes from sin and the lowly state one finds themselves in when separated from God.

the pigs were eating
Pigs were considered unclean animals according to Jewish law (Leviticus 11:7), and for a Jewish audience, this would underscore the son's degradation and uncleanness. The Greek word "χοίρων" (choirōn) emphasizes the shame and humiliation of the prodigal son, who has sunk to the lowest point by associating with unclean animals. This serves as a powerful image of the consequences of sin and the loss of dignity that comes from turning away from God.

but no one would give him a thing
This phrase highlights the complete abandonment and isolation the prodigal son experiences. The Greek "οὐδεὶς ἐδίδου αὐτῷ" (oudeis edidou autō) indicates that despite his desperate state, there was no compassion or help from others. This reflects the harsh reality of a life lived apart from God, where worldly pursuits and relationships ultimately fail to provide true support or fulfillment. It serves as a reminder of the emptiness of a life without divine connection and the need for God's grace and mercy.

(16) He would fain have filled his belly.--It is singular that very many of the best MSS. give the simpler reading, "desired to be filled or satisfied." It is open to suppose either that they shrank from the reading in the text as too coarse, or that the later MSS. introduced "filled his belly" as more vivid and colloquial; or, as seems probable, that there may have been a variation of phrase even in the original autograph MSS. of St. Luke.

The husks that the swine did eat.--The word is generic, but it is commonly identified with the long bean-like pods of the carob-tree, or Ceratonia siliqua, or St. John's bread, in which some have seen the "locusts" of Matthew 3:4. They contain a good deal of saccharine matter, and are commonly used as food for swine in Syria and Egypt. Spiritually, they answer to the sensual pleasures in which men who are as the swine, identified with brute appetites, find adequate sustenance. The soul that was born to a higher inheritance cannot so satisfy itself. It seeks to be "like a beast with lower pleasures," but it is part of the Father's discipline that that baser satisfaction is beyond its reach.

Verse 16. - And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. So low was this poor lost man reduced, that in his bitter hunger he even came to long for the coarse but nutritious bean with which the herd was fed. These swine were of some value when fattened for the market; but he, the swineherd, was valueless - he might starve. The husks in question were the long bean-shaped pods of the carob tree (Caratonia siliqua), commonly used for fattening swine in Syria and Egypt. They contain a proportion of sugar. The very poorest of the population occasionally use them as food.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He longed
ἐπεθύμει (epethymei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1937: To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for.

to fill
γεμίσαι (gemisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1072: To fill, load. Transitive from gemo; to fill entirely.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

belly
κοιλίαν (koilian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2836: From koilos; a cavity, i.e. the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart.

with
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

pods
κερατίων (keratiōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2769: A husk (pod) of the carob. Neuter of a presumed derivative of keras; something horned, i.e. the pod of the carob-tree.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

pigs
χοῖροι (choiroi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5519: A swine, hog, sow. Of uncertain derivation; a hog.

were eating,
ἤσθιον (ēsthion)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2068: Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

no one
οὐδεὶς (oudeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

would give
ἐδίδου (edidou)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

him [ a thing ].
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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