---
title: Luke 15:20
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/luke-15-20/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/luke-15-20.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Luke 15:20
testament: NT
section: Gospels
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Luke 15:20

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (1984 edition): "So he rose and went to his father. While he was yet a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was moved with pity, and he ran and fell upon his neck and tenderly kissed him."
- NWT (2013 revision): "So he got up and went to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was moved with pity, and he ran and embraced him and tenderly kissed him."

## JW Usage

JWs cite Luke 15:20 as evidence of Jehovah's willingness to receive the repentant. The verse is read as confirmation that Jehovah forgives those who turn back, and is sometimes used in the context of reinstatement applications to encourage disfellowshipped members who are pursuing restoration. The father's running and embracing is acknowledged but typically subordinated to the broader Watchtower framework of demonstrating repentance to the elders before being received back.

## Protestant Usage

Luke 15:20 is the load-bearing verse of the prodigal parable. The father catches sight of the son while he is still a long way off, is moved with pity, runs, embraces, and kisses him — all before the son finishes his rehearsed confession (compare vv. 18-19, 21). The father's movement is preemptive grace. He is not waiting at a tribunal evaluating the rehearsed account; he is on the road to meet the returning son. Pair this verse with Hebrews 4:15-16 (the confident approach to a throne of grace), John 3:17 (the Son sent not to condemn but to save), and Romans 5:8 (Christ died for us while we were still sinners). On the doorstep — especially with a Witness who has been through reinstatement, or who carries shame about a past judicial proceeding — this verse names the gospel: the Father runs while the sinner is still a long way off. He does not audit; he embraces. That is the throne of grace, and it is not optional or rare; it is the standing posture of God toward the one returning to him.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [No Pastoral Grace — The Judicial Committee vs the Throne of Grace](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/no-pastoral-grace-confession.md) — Hebrews 4:15-16 — A sympathetic high priest [Salvation]
- [The Paramedics Who Refuse to Treat](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/shunning-paramedics-analogy.md) — Answering the 'leave it to Jehovah's organisation' illustration [Practice]
- [The Human Cost of Shunning](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/shunning-human-cost.md) — Social death, depression, and a grief the Bible never prescribes [Practice]