Luke 15:14
New International Version
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

New Living Translation
About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.

English Standard Version
And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

Berean Standard Bible
After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.

Berean Literal Bible
But of him having spent all, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

King James Bible
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

New King James Version
But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.

New American Standard Bible
Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without.

NASB 1995
“Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.

NASB 1977
“Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be in need.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.

Amplified Bible
Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need.

Christian Standard Bible
After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.

American Standard Version
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

Contemporary English Version
He had spent everything, when a bad famine spread through that whole land. Soon he had nothing to eat.

English Revised Version
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He had nothing left when a severe famine spread throughout that country. He had nothing to live on.

Good News Translation
He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing.

International Standard Version
After he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

Majority Standard Bible
After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.

NET Bible
Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need.

New Heart English Bible
When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

Weymouth New Testament
At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want.

World English Bible
When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he having spent all, there came a mighty famine on that country, and himself began to be in want;

Berean Literal Bible
But of him having spent all, there arose a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need.

Young's Literal Translation
and he having spent all, there came a mighty famine on that country, and himself began to be in want;

Smith's Literal Translation
And having spent all things, a powerful famine was in that country; and he began to be in want.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need.

New American Bible
When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.

New Revised Standard Version
When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when all he had was gone, there was a severe famine in that country; and he began to be in need.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And when he had spent everything that he had, there was a great famine in that country and he began to be wanting.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When he had spent all, there was a great famine throughout that country, and he began to be in want.

Godbey New Testament
And he having expended all, a severe famine came into that country; and he began to be in want.

Haweis New Testament
But when he had spent all, there came a terrible famine in that region; and he began to know want.

Mace New Testament
when he had spent all, there happen'd to be a severe famine in that country;

Weymouth New Testament
At last, when he had spent everything, there came a terrible famine throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch of want.

Worrell New Testament
And, when he spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

Worsley New Testament
And when he had spent all, there happen'd a grievous famine in that country, and he began to be in want.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
13After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.…

Cross References
Proverbs 23:21
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

Joel 1:10-12
The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails. / Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. / The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, palm, and apple—all the trees of the orchard—are withered. Surely the joy of mankind has dried up.

Genesis 41:30-31
but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land. / The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe.

Amos 8:11
Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

2 Kings 6:25
So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver.

Ezekiel 4:16-17
Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. / So they will lack food and water; they will be appalled at the sight of one another wasting away in their iniquity.

Isaiah 3:1
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,

Jeremiah 14:1-6
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: / “Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. / The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. ...

Lamentations 4:4-9
The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. / Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those brought up in crimson huddle in ash heaps. / The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand turned to help her. ...

Haggai 1:6
You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”

Matthew 25:8-9
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ / ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

Mark 8:2-3
“I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. / If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a great distance.”

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.

Romans 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

1 Corinthians 4:11
To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.


Treasury of Scripture

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

arose.

2 Chronicles 33:11
Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

Ezekiel 16:27
Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary food, and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.

Hosea 2:9-14
Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness…

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














After he had spent all
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the parable of the Prodigal Son. The Greek word for "spent" is "dapanao," which implies a complete and reckless expenditure. This reflects the son's total disregard for the future, living in the moment without thought of consequence. In a spiritual sense, it symbolizes humanity's tendency to squander God-given resources and blessings, leading to spiritual bankruptcy. The phrase serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of living outside of God's will and the inevitable emptiness that follows.

a severe famine
The Greek term for "severe" is "ischuros," meaning strong or mighty, indicating the intensity of the famine. Famines were not uncommon in the ancient Near East, often resulting from drought, war, or pestilence. Historically, famines were seen as divine judgments or tests. In the context of the parable, the famine represents the harsh realities of life that often follow poor decisions. Spiritually, it signifies the soul's hunger and longing when separated from God, emphasizing the emptiness of a life lived apart from divine provision.

swept through that country
The phrase "swept through" suggests an overwhelming and unavoidable force. The Greek word "ginomai" is used here, which can mean to become or to happen, indicating the inevitability of the famine's impact. "That country" refers to the distant land where the prodigal son had journeyed, symbolizing a place far from the father's house, or metaphorically, far from God's presence. This highlights the consequences of distancing oneself from God, where external circumstances can exacerbate internal spiritual crises.

and he began to be in need
The Greek word for "need" is "hystereo," which means to lack or to fall short. This marks the beginning of the son's realization of his dire situation. It is a moment of awakening to his physical and spiritual poverty. In a broader theological context, this phrase underscores the human condition of insufficiency without God. It is a call to recognize our dependence on divine grace and provision. The prodigal's need becomes the catalyst for his eventual repentance and return, illustrating the transformative power of acknowledging one's need for God.

(14) There arose a mighty famine in that land.--This again was no unwonted incident. The famine which "came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar" (Acts 11:28) was more extensive and memorable than others, but it was far from standing alone. And now the pinch came. His treasure was gone, and for the fulness of bread there was hunger and "cleanness of teeth" (Amos 4:6). In the individual interpretation of the parable, the mighty famine is the yearning of the soul's unsatisfied desire, the absence of its true food, of "the bread that cometh down from heaven." (See Notes on John 6:32.) In its wider range it is the craving of humanity for what it cannot find when appetites are not satisfied, and their wonted supply ceases--the famine, not of bread and of water, but of hearing the word of the Lord (Amos 8:11); the want of a message from the Eternal Father to sustain the life of His children.

Verse 14. - And when he had spent all. True of many a soul in all times, but especially in that age of excessive luxury and splendour and of unbridled passions.

"On that hard Roman world, disgust
And secret loathing fell;
Deep weariness and sated lust
Made human life a hell."


(Matthew Arnold.) There arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. The "mighty famine" may be understood to represent difficult times. Wax or political convulsions, so common in those days, may have speedily brought about the ruin of many like the prodigal of our story, and his comparatively small fortune would quickly have been swallowed up. Selfish evil-living, excesses of various kinds, had gained him no real friends, but had left him to meet the ruin of his fortune with enfeebled powers, homeless and friendless; hence the depth of the degradation in which we speedily find him. Not an unusual figure in the great world-drama, this of the younger son - the man who had sacrificed everything for selfish pleasure, and soon found he had absolutely nothing left but suffering. Very touchingly the greatest, perhaps, of our English poets writes of this awful soul-famine. In his case fortune and rank still remained to him, but everything that can really make life precious and beautiful had been wasted.

"My days are in the yellow leaf;
The flowers and fruits of love are gone;
The worm, the anguish, and the grief,
Are mine alone.

"The fire that on my bosom preys
Is lone as some volcanic isle;
No torch is kindled at its blaze -
A funeral pile!"


(Byron.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

he
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.

had spent
Δαπανήσαντος (Dapanēsantos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1159: To spend, bear expense, waste, squander. From dapane; to expend, i.e. to incur cost, or to waste.

all [he had],
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

a severe
ἰσχυρὰ (ischyra)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2478: Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.

famine
λιμὸς (limos)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3042: A famine, hunger. Probably from leipo; a scarcity of food.

swept
ἐγένετο (egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

through
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

that
ἐκείνην (ekeinēn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

country,
χώραν (chōran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5561: Feminine of a derivative of the base of chasma through the idea of empty expanse; room, i.e. A space of territory.

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

he
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 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.

began
ἤρξατο (ērxato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to be in need.
ὑστερεῖσθαι (hystereisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 5302: From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.


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