Luke 15:24

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

For my son here was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again. He was lost [from me], but [now] is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Cross References

Ephesians 2:5

restored [spiritual] life to us with Christ, even though we were [spiritually] dead because of our sins --- it is by God’s unearned favor that you have been saved.

Colossians 2:13

And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of man came to search for and save those who were lost.”

Ephesians 2:1

And you [Gentiles] were once [spiritually] dead because of your shortcomings and sins.

Luke 15:4

“Which one of you who has a hundred sheep, and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in a deserted place and go looking for the lost one until he finds it?

Luke 15:32

But it was [only] proper that we celebrate and have a good time, for this brother of yours was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again; he was lost [from me] but [now] is found.’”

Romans 6:11

So, you [too] should consider yourselves dead to sin [i.e., no longer under its power], but [spiritually] alive to God, in [fellowship with] Christ.

Romans 8:2

For the Holy Spirit’s law which provides [never ending] life for those in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus has freed me from the law that requires [spiritual] death for sinning.

Romans 12:15

Be happy with those who are joyful. Cry with those who are sad. Romans 12:16 Have the same [good] thoughts toward one another. Do not [always] be thinking you are a “big shot,” but lower yourself to accept humble tasks [or, humble people]. Do not think you are so smart.

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the person who believes in me will live on, even though he dies [physically].

Ephesians 5:14

So, it says, “You who are asleep, wake up and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you [i.e., illuminate you].” [Note: The foregoing words may have been an early saying, used at someone’s immersion, which included the ideas of “rising up” (See Col. 2:12) and “illumination” (See Heb. 6:4) ].

1 Corinthians 12:26

So, if one part [i.e., one Christian] suffers, then all the parts [i.e., the other Christians] should suffer with it. Or, if one part is honored, all the [other] parts should rejoice with it.

1 Timothy 5:6

But the widow who devotes herself to unrestrained pleasure is [spiritually] dead, even while still living.

Romans 11:15

For if their rejection [by God] meant that [the rest of] the world could be restored to favor [with God], what would [God’s] receiving the Jews back into fellowship be, except like dead people coming back to life?

Romans 6:13

And do not offer the parts of your bodies [i.e., hands, eyes, etc. See Matt. 5:29-30] as tools for [accomplishing] evil purposes; but [instead] offer yourselves to God, as [people who are] alive from the dead [i.e., no longer under the power of sin] and the parts of your bodies as tools for [accomplishing] righteous purposes for God.

John 5:21

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them [renewed] life [for their bodies (?)], even so the Son also gives [renewed] life to [the spirits (?)] of whoever He wants to.

Mark 8:22

And when they came to Bethsaida some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged Him to touch him [i.e., for healing].

Revelation 3:1

“And write [this] to the angel of the church at Sardis: These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God [i.e., Jesus, who has the Holy Spirit] and the seven stars [i.e., the seven angels of the seven churches. See 1:20]: I know about your deeds, that you have a reputation for being [spiritually] alive, but you are [really] dead.

Jude 1:12

These people are like rotten spots [contaminating the food] at your love feasts, while they gorge themselves without fear [i.e., unashamed of their selfish indulgence]. [Note: This passage may mean “like selfish shepherds, looking out only for themselves,” even eating the grain set out for the animals]. They are like clouds that blow over without producing rain; [they are like] trees in the fall that do not produce any fruit and have been uprooted, [thus] being dead twice [i.e., fruitless and rootless].

Luke 10:19

See, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions [i.e., to receive protection from accidental contact with venomous creatures. See Acts 28:5] and [to have authority] over all the power of the enemy [i.e., Satan. See verse 18]. And nothing at all will hurt you.

Matthew 8:22

But Jesus answered him, “Become my follower, and let the [spiritually] dead bury them” [i.e., let a person’s relatives care for their own family members until they die].

Luke 9:60

But Jesus replied to him, “Let the [spiritually] dead bury their own dead [i.e., let them care for their family members until they die], but you go and proclaim the [coming] kingdom of God.”

Luke 15:23

And bring the fattened calf, kill it and let us eat and enjoy ourselves.

Luke 15:25

Now the father’s older son was [out] in the field. And when he came in and got close to the house he heard music and dancing.