What Does Luke 15:23 Mean in the King James?
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The father’s “let us be merry” returns in his answer to the older brother, making shared joy his response to a son found alive.
THE MEANING
A return meets a prepared, tangible welcome: the calf becomes a meal, and the household shares its gladness. The joy is communal, carried by food and gathering.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that someone who returns must remain at a distance until a period of probation is complete.
THE ROOT
εὐφρανθῶμεν
euphranthōmen
GROWS FROM
φρήν (phrēn; stem φρεν-)
Mind or thought; εὐφραίνω (euphrainō) means to gladden or make merry.
The phrase “let us be merry” uses εὐφρανθῶμεν, from εὐφραίνω (euphrainō), built from εὖ (eu, well) and φρήν (phrēn, mind). The word for gladness reaches into the mind, and the father repeats this same verb when he answers the older brother in verse 32.
ALSO GROWS
phroneō: Think; set the mind.
φρονέω
This related form shares the φρεν- family and makes the mind’s role in the word for gladness visible.
phronēma: Mindset; thought.
φρόνημα
This related noun names a disposition of mind, echoing the inward register carried by εὐφραίνω (euphrainō, gladden).
θύσατε
thysate
GROWS FROM
θυ-
thy-
The verb θύω (thyō) means to slaughter or sacrifice.
“kill” in this verse is thysate. The verb can name slaughter as well as sacrifice; here the calf is killed for a meal. Its sacrificial shade remains present without making this feast a temple rite.
ALSO GROWS
thysia: Sacrifice; offering.
θυσία
This related noun shows the sacrificial sense carried by the same word family.
thysiastērion: Altar.
θυσιαστήριον
The same family extends to the altar, giving the calf’s slaughter a ritual resonance even as the verse presents it as a feast.
THE PATTERN
When what was lost returns, the response is shared rejoicing.
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.I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.THE THREAD
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.“Be merry” here and “make merry” in verse 32 are forms of εὐφραίνω (euphrainō, gladden or make merry). When the older brother objects, the father uses the same word to say that the found son’s return calls for shared gladness.
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