15:28a
In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that introduces the unexpected way that the older brother reacted to what the servant told him. Other ways to translate this conjunction are:
But (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Then (New Revised Standard Version)
The older son became angry: The older brother’s words in 15:29–30 explain why he was angry.
and refused to go in: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as refused is literally “did not want.” It indicates that the brother continued to be unwilling to enter the house and join the feast. Be careful not to imply that the servant asked him to enter and he refused.
If in your language you must say where the older brother refused to go in, you should supply “the house.”
15:28b
So: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces what the father did when his older son refused to enter the house. Some versions, such as the Revised Standard Version, do not translate this conjunction explicitly. Other versions, such as the New American Standard Bible, translate it as “and.” Translate the connection in a natural way in your language.
his father came out: The father left the house where the party was going on and went outside to talk to his older son.
and pleaded with him: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pleaded with here means to persistently invite, urge, or encourage someone to do something. In some languages it may be necessary to supply this information and say what the father pleaded with his son to do. For example:
begged him to come in (Good News Translation)
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