Luke 15:32
New International Version
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

New Living Translation
We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

English Standard Version
It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Berean Standard Bible
But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Berean Literal Bible
But it was fitting to make merry and to rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and he was lost and is found.'"

King James Bible
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

New King James Version
It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

NASB 1995
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

NASB 1977
‘But we had to be merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive, and was lost and has been found.’”

Amplified Bible
But it was fitting to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was [as good as] dead and has begun to live. He was lost and has been found.’”

Christian Standard Bible
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

American Standard Version
But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Contemporary English Version
But we should be glad and celebrate! Your brother was dead, but he is now alive. He was lost and has now been found."

English Revised Version
But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But we have something to celebrate, something to be happy about. This brother of yours was dead but has come back to life. He was lost but has been found.'"

Good News Translation
But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.'"

International Standard Version
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and has been found.'"

Majority Standard Bible
But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

NET Bible
It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.'"

New Heart English Bible
But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive; and he was lost, and is found.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Weymouth New Testament
We are bound to make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has come back to life, he was lost and has been found.'"

World English Bible
But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but to be merry, and to be glad, it was necessary, because this your brother was dead, and lived again, he was lost, and was found.”

Berean Literal Bible
But it was fitting to make merry and to rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; and he was lost and is found.'"

Young's Literal Translation
but to be merry, and to be glad, it was needful, because this thy brother was dead, and did live again, he was lost, and was found.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And to be gladdened, and to rejoice, was fitting: for this thy brother was dead, and has returned to life; and he was lost, and found.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

New American Bible
But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It was right for us to make merry and rejoice; for this your brother was dead and has come to life; and was lost and is found.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But it is right for us to celebrate and to rejoice. For this your brother was dead, and he is alive. He was lost, and he is found.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But it became us to make merry and rejoice; for this your brother was dead, and is alive again: was lost, and is found.

Godbey New Testament
and it behooved me to be glad and rejoice; because this thy brother was dead, and is alive; was lost, and is found.

Haweis New Testament
But it was right that we should rejoice, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Mace New Testament
but it was necessary to feast and rejoice, because your brother here was dead, and is again alive: he was lost and is now found.

Weymouth New Testament
We are bound to make merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has come back to life, he was lost and has been found.'"

Worrell New Testament
But it was meet to make merry, and rejoice; because this your brother was dead, and came to life again; and had been lost, and was found."

Worsley New Testament
But it was fit we should be merry and rejoice; for this thy brother was dead, and is come to life again, was lost and is found.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
31‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours. 32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Cross References
Matthew 18:12-14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Romans 5:10
For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!

Ephesians 2:1-5
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, / in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. / All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. ...

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

John 5:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

Colossians 2:13
When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,

1 Peter 2:25
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Romans 6:13
Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Ezekiel 18:23
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:32
For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Jonah 4:11
So should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well?”


Treasury of Scripture

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

was meet.

Luke 7:34
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

Psalm 51:8
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

for.

Luke 15:24
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Ephesians 2:1-10
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …

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Luke 15
1. The parable of the lost sheep;
8. of the piece of silver;
11. of the prodigal son.














But it was fitting
The phrase "it was fitting" in the Greek is "ἔδει," which conveys a sense of necessity or obligation. In the context of the parable of the Prodigal Son, this phrase underscores the moral and spiritual appropriateness of the father's actions. The father’s response to the return of his lost son is not just an emotional reaction but a necessary act of grace and restoration. This reflects the divine necessity of God's grace towards repentant sinners, emphasizing that God's love and forgiveness are not arbitrary but are deeply rooted in His righteous character.

to celebrate
The Greek word used here is "εὐφρανθῆναι," which means to rejoice or be glad. This celebration is not merely a social event but a profound expression of joy that mirrors the heavenly rejoicing over one sinner who repents, as mentioned earlier in Luke 15:7. The celebration signifies the restoration of relationship and the joy of redemption, highlighting the theme of joy that permeates the kingdom of God.

and be glad
The phrase "be glad" comes from the Greek "χαρῆναι," which is related to "χαρά," meaning joy. This gladness is a deep, abiding joy that comes from reconciliation and restoration. It is a joy that transcends circumstances and reflects the eternal joy found in the presence of God. The father's gladness is a picture of the joy that God experiences when a lost soul returns to Him.

because this brother of yours
The emphasis on "this brother of yours" serves as a reminder of the familial relationship that exists despite the younger son's previous waywardness. It is a call to the elder brother, and by extension to all believers, to recognize and embrace the restored relationship. This phrase challenges the audience to see beyond past transgressions and to acknowledge the unity and equality of all believers in the family of God.

was dead
The term "dead" here is metaphorical, representing the spiritual death that results from sin and separation from God. In Ephesians 2:1, Paul speaks of being "dead in trespasses and sins," which aligns with this concept. The younger son's previous state is a depiction of the spiritual death that all humanity faces apart from Christ, emphasizing the dire need for repentance and reconciliation.

and is alive again
The phrase "is alive again" signifies resurrection and new life. In the Greek, "ἀνέζησεν" is used, which means to live again. This mirrors the spiritual rebirth that occurs when one repents and turns back to God. It is a powerful image of transformation and renewal, echoing the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

he was lost
The word "lost" in Greek is "ἀπολωλώς," which conveys the idea of being utterly ruined or perished. This reflects the state of humanity without God, as seen in the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin earlier in the chapter. The lostness of the son is a poignant reminder of the human condition apart from divine intervention.

and is found
The term "found" is "εὑρέθη" in Greek, indicating discovery or recovery. This finding is not by chance but is the result of the father's active search and longing for his son’s return. It highlights the initiative of God in seeking out the lost and bringing them back into His fold. The joy of finding what was lost is a central theme in Luke 15, illustrating the relentless love and grace of God towards sinners.

(32) It was meet that we should make merry.--The Greek expresses moral necessity rather than mere fitness. "We must needs rejoice;" it could not be otherwise. The repetition of the same words that had been used before, "he was dead . . ." is singularly-emphatic. This, and nothing more or less than this was the true account of the change that had passed over the wanderer; and this ought to be a source of joy to all his kindred. There is, perhaps, a touch of tenderness as well as reproof in the way in which the scornful "this thy son" is met by "this thy brother." The elder son had forgotten that fact, and had almost disclaimed his own sonship in his scorn for the offender.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

it was fitting
ἔδει (edei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

to celebrate
εὐφρανθῆναι (euphranthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 2165: From eu and phren; to put in a good frame of mind, i.e. Rejoice.

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

rejoice,
χαρῆναι (charēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 5463: A primary verb; to be 'cheer'ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

this
οὗτος (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

brother
ἀδελφός (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

of yours
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

dead
νεκρὸς (nekros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.

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

is alive again;
ἔζησεν (ezēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

he was lost
ἀπολωλὼς (apolōlōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

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

is found.’”
εὑρέθη (heurethē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.


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