Definition: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 15:30. It’s a really powerful and symbolic passage about love and sacrifice. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a moment of extreme generosity and sacrifice – a mother’s love for her son is so profound that she kills him to save him from a terrible, messy situation. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “But as soon as this thy son was come…” - This immediately tells us we're talking about a very serious and difficult moment. It wasn’t just any son; it was this son who had been destroying the family’s livelihood – likely through stealing or causing problems. “…which hath devoured thy living with harlots…” - This is the crucial part. "Devoured thy living" means he was a terrible, destructive person. “Harlots” are prostitutes – people involved in immoral activities. This shows how he was completely ruining everything for his family. “…thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.” - This is where it gets really significant. A "fatted calf" is a large, celebratory meal traditionally offered to God as a sign of gratitude and blessing. In this context, killing this son – who was causing so much destruction – symbolizes that the mother’s love and sacrifice were so powerful that she took his life to save her family from his awful behavior. So, what does it all mean? It's a story about: Unconditional Love: The mother’s love for her son is so great that it outweighs everything else. Sacrifice: She willingly gives up something precious – her son’s life – to save him from a terrible situation. Redemption through Suffering: The verse suggests that suffering and even death can be a pathway to true and lasting good. It's about transforming evil into goodness. In essence, it's a powerful reminder of the importance of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Do you want me to explain any part of this in more detail? For example, we could talk about: The symbolism of the fatted calf – what does it represent? The overall message of the passage – why is this story important?