A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 15:23

"and bring the fatted calf, [and] kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:" — Luke 15:23 (ASV)

The fatted calf (τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον). The calf the fatted one. Σιτευτον is the verbal adjective of σιλευω, to feed with wheat (σιτος). The calf was kept fat for festive occasions, possibly in the hope of the son's return.

Kill (θυσατε). Not as a sacrifice, but for the feast.

Make merry (ευφρανθωμεν). First aorist passive subjunctive (volitive). From ευφραινω, an old verb from ευ (well) and φρην (mind).