Luke 15:28
New International Version
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

New Living Translation
“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,

English Standard Version
But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

Berean Standard Bible
The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

Berean Literal Bible
But he was angry, and was not willing to go in. And his father, having gone, was begging him.

King James Bible
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

New King James Version
“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

New American Standard Bible
But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

NASB 1995
“But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

NASB 1977
“But he became angry, and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began entreating him.

Legacy Standard Bible
But he became angry and was not wanting to go in, and his father came out and began pleading with him.

Amplified Bible
But the elder brother became angry and deeply resentful and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

Christian Standard Bible
“Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

American Standard Version
But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.

Contemporary English Version
The older brother got so angry that he would not even go into the house. His father came out and begged him to go in.

English Revised Version
But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Then the older son became angry and wouldn't go into the house. His father came out and begged him to come in.

Good News Translation
The older brother was so angry that he would not go into the house; so his father came out and begged him to come in.

International Standard Version
"Then the older son became angry and wouldn't go into the house. So his father came out and began to plead with him.

Majority Standard Bible
The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

NET Bible
But the older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and appealed to him,

New Heart English Bible
But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and pleaded with him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore his father came out, and entreated him.

Weymouth New Testament
"Then he was angry and would not go in. But his father came out and entreated him.

World English Bible
But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he was angry, and would not go in, therefore his father, having come forth, was pleading him;

Berean Literal Bible
But he was angry, and was not willing to go in. And his father, having gone, was begging him.

Young's Literal Translation
'And he was angry, and would not go in, therefore his father, having come forth, was entreating him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he was angry and would not go in; then his father having come out, besought him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him.

New American Bible
He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him.

New Revised Standard Version
Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he became angry and would not go in; so his father came out and besought him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he was angry and he did not want to enter and his father went out pleading with him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he was angry, and would not go in. Then his father went out and entreated him.

Godbey New Testament
And he was angry, and did not wish to come in: and his father having gone out, continued to intreat him. And responding he said to the father,

Haweis New Testament
Then he was in great wrath, and would not enter the doors: therefore his father came out, and entreated him.

Mace New Testament
upon this he was full of resentment, and refused to go in: and when his father came out to persuade him, he replied to his father,

Weymouth New Testament
"Then he was angry and would not go in. But his father came out and entreated him.

Worrell New Testament
But he was angry, and was not willing to go in; but his father, coming out, kept entreating him.

Worsley New Testament
Therefore his father came out and desired him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
27‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.…

Cross References
Matthew 20:24
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.

Jonah 4:1-4
Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry. / So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster. / And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” ...

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

Ephesians 4:26
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,

Genesis 4:5-6
but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. / “Why are you angry,” said the LORD to Cain, “and why has your countenance fallen?

1 John 3:12
Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

Proverbs 14:17
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.

James 1:19-20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, / for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

Galatians 5:20
idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,

1 Samuel 18:8-9
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?” / And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

Genesis 37:4
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.


Treasury of Scripture

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

he.

Luke 15:2
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Luke 5:30
But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Luke 7:39
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

therefore.

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Genesis 4:5-7
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell…

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














The older son
In the context of Luke 15, the older son represents the Pharisees and scribes who were critical of Jesus' association with sinners. The Greek word for "older" is "presbyteros," which can also mean elder or senior, indicating a position of authority or maturity. This son symbolizes those who are entrenched in tradition and self-righteousness, often missing the heart of God's grace and mercy.

became angry
The Greek word used here is "orgizō," which conveys a deep-seated anger or wrath. This reaction is significant as it highlights the older son's inability to understand or accept the father's grace towards the prodigal son. His anger reflects a heart that is more concerned with justice and fairness than with love and forgiveness, a common theme in Jesus' teachings against the legalism of the Pharisees.

and refused to go in
This phrase indicates a deliberate choice to separate himself from the celebration. The Greek word "thelō" for "refused" suggests a strong will or desire not to participate. This refusal symbolizes the self-exclusion of those who cannot accept God's grace extended to others, particularly those they deem unworthy. It serves as a caution against spiritual pride and the danger of isolating oneself from the joy of God's kingdom.

So his father came out
The father's action is a powerful image of God's initiative in seeking out the lost and the self-righteous alike. The Greek word "exerchomai" for "came out" implies a movement towards someone, demonstrating God's proactive love and desire for reconciliation. This mirrors the biblical narrative of God reaching out to humanity, emphasizing His relentless pursuit of relationship with all His children.

and pleaded with him
The Greek word "parakaleō" for "pleaded" can also mean to exhort, comfort, or encourage. This reflects the father's compassionate and patient nature, as he seeks to draw the older son into the celebration. It is a reminder of God's gentle invitation to all, urging them to embrace His grace and join in the joy of salvation. This plea is an expression of divine love that respects human freedom while earnestly desiring unity and reconciliation.

(28) And he was angry, and would not go in.--This, then, was the first feeling. He who professed obedience to his father is out of harmony with his father's mind. He "shuts love out," and, as by a righteous judgment, is himself "shut out from love."

Verse 28. - Therefore came his father out, and entreated him. The disapprobation of Jesus for Pharisee opinions was very marked, yet here and elsewhere his treatment of them, with a few exceptional cases, was generally very gentle and loving. There was something in their excessive devotion to the letter of the Divine Law, to the holy temple, to the proud traditions of their race, that was admirable. It was a love to God, but a love all marred and blurred. It was a patriotism, but a patriotism utterly mistaken. The elder brother here was a representative of the great and famous sect, both in its fair and repulsive aspect, in its moral severity and correctness, in its harshness and exclusive pride. The father condescended to entreat this angry elder son; and Jesus longed to win these proud mistaken Pharisees.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[The older son] became angry
Ὠργίσθη (Ōrgisthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3710: To irritate, provoke, be angry. From orge; to provoke or enrage, i.e. become exasperated.

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

refused
ἤθελεν (ēthelen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to go in.
εἰσελθεῖν (eiselthein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.

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

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.

father
πατὴρ (patēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

came out
ἐξελθὼν (exelthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

[and] pleaded with
παρεκάλει (parekalei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

him.
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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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NT Gospels: Luke 15:28 But he was angry and would not (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 15:27
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