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Selected Verse: Luke 15:14 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Lu 15:14	King James	And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
when he had spent all . . . a mighty famine--a mysterious providence holding back the famine till he was in circumstances to feel it in all its rigor. Thus, like Jonah, whom the storm did not overtake till on the mighty deep at the mercy of the waves, does the sinner feel as if "the stars in their courses were fighting against" him (Jdg 5:20). in want--the first stage of his bitter experience, and preparation for a change.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

when he had spent all . . . a mighty famine--a mysterious providence holding back the famine till he was in circumstances to feel it in all its rigor. Thus, like Jonah, whom the storm did not overtake till on the mighty deep at the mercy of the waves, does the sinner feel as if "the stars in their courses were fighting against" him (Jdg 5:20).

in want--the first stage of his bitter experience, and preparation for a change.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
A mighty famine - Famines were common in Eastern nations. They were caused by the failure of the crops - by a want of timely rains, a genial sun, or sometimes by the prevalence of the plague or of the pestilence, which swept off numbers of the inhabitants. In this case it is very naturally connected with the luxury, the indolence, and the dissipation of the people in that land,

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

A mighty famine - Famines were common in Eastern nations. They were caused by the failure of the crops - by a want of timely rains, a genial sun, or sometimes by the prevalence of the plague or of the pestilence, which swept off numbers of the inhabitants. In this case it is very naturally connected with the luxury, the indolence, and the dissipation of the people in that land,

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Spent See on cost, Luk 14:28. In that land Want is characteristic of the "far country." The prodigal feels the evil of his environment. "He (with a shade of emphasis) began to be in want." To be in want (ὑστερεῖσθαι) From ὕστερος, behind. Compare our phrase of one in straitened circumstances, to fall behind.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Spent

See on cost, Luk 14:28.

In that land

Want is characteristic of the "far country." The prodigal feels the evil of his environment. "He (with a shade of emphasis) began to be in want."

To be in want (ὑστερεῖσθαι)

From ὕστερος, behind. Compare our phrase of one in straitened circumstances, to fall behind.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
He began to be in want - All his worldly pleasures failing, he grew conscious of his want of real good.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

He began to be in want - All his worldly pleasures failing, he grew conscious of his want of real good.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
A mighty famine in that land - As he was of a profligate turn of mind himself, it is likely he sought out a place where riot and excess were the ruling characteristics of the inhabitants; and, as poverty is the sure consequence of prodigality, it is no wonder that famine preyed on the whole country.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

A mighty famine in that land - As he was of a profligate turn of mind himself, it is likely he sought out a place where riot and excess were the ruling characteristics of the inhabitants; and, as poverty is the sure consequence of prodigality, it is no wonder that famine preyed on the whole country.

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