John Calvin Commentary Luke 15:21

"And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son." — Luke 15:21 (ASV)

Father, I have sinned against heaven. Here another branch of repentance is pointed out: a conviction of sin accompanied by grief and shame. For the one who is not grieved for having sinned, and whose offense is not placed before his eyes, will sooner attempt anything than think of returning to the path of duty. Displeasure with sin must therefore precede repentance.

There is great emphasis in this expression, that the young man is said to have come to himself, as one whom the wanderings of wild desires had hurried away into forgetfulness of himself. Indeed, so far astray are the impulses of the flesh, that anyone who gives himself up to them may be said to have gone out of himself and to have lost his senses. For this reason, transgressors are commanded to return to the heart,⁵³⁸ (Isaiah 46:8).

Next follows a confession,⁵³⁹ not such as the Pope has contrived, but one by which the son appeases his offended father; for this humility is absolutely necessary in order to obtain forgiveness of sins. This mode of expression, I have sinned against heaven, and before you, means the same as if he had said that God was offended in the person of an earthly father. And certainly, this is the dictate of nature, that everyone who rebels against a father rises wickedly also against God, who has placed children in subjection to parents.

⁵³⁸ “A ceste cause en l’Escriture Dieu commande aux transgresseurs de retourner a leur coeur;” — “For this reason, in Scripture God commands transgressors to return to their heart.” In the authorized version the passage runs thus: ;” — “For this reason, in Scripture God commands transgressors to return to their heart.” In the authorized version the passage runs thus: Bring it again to mind,, O ye transgressors. — . — Ed..

⁵³⁹ “Apres la cognoissance du peche s’ensuit aussi la confession;” — “after the knowledge of sin there follows also confession.”;” — “after the knowledge of sin there follows also confession.”