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An Exegetical Analysis of Luke 15:18: The Idiomatic Expression ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι
This exegetical study of Lk 15.18 “I will arise and go” is based on a b-greek discussion from Sun Aug 13 20:50:18 EDT 2006. The initial online discussion stemmed from a frustrating exchange concerning the interpretation of biblical texts. Specifically, an interlocutor asserted that David “murdered” Goliath in 1 Samuel 17, basing this claim on the premise that Goliath “arose” (Hebrew קום, qūm) from a presumed respectful seated position. The author of the original post refuted this, explaining that the Hebrew verb pair קום and הלך (hālak) frequently functions as an inceptive idiom in the Old Testament, indicating the commencement of an action or “setting out,” rather than necessarily implying a prior seated posture.
The central exegetical issue under examination is the interpretation of the Greek participial phrase ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι (anastas poreusomai) in Luke 15:18. The question at hand is whether this construction denotes two distinct, sequential actions – “arising” from a seated or prone position, followed by “going” – or if it functions as an idiomatic expression signifying a single, inceptive action: “to set out” or “to get going,” irrespective of the speaker’s prior physical posture. This distinction carries significant implications for understanding the immediate intent and resolute attitude of the Prodigal Son in this pivotal moment of the parable.
ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ, Πάτερ, ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐνώπιόν σου.
(Nestle-Aland 28, representing standard critical text)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- For Luke 15:18, the SBLGNT (2010) text is identical to the Nestle-Aland 28 (NA28) critical edition cited above, displaying no substantive lexical or orthographical variations relevant to the exegetical issue at hand. The provided Greek text in the original discussion, while containing some encoding anomalies, represents the same underlying word forms as found in these critical editions.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
Textual critical apparatus for Luke 15:18 in the Nestle-Aland 28 (NA28) does not indicate any significant variants that would alter the lexical composition or syntactic structure of ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι. The phrase is uniformly attested across the major manuscript traditions, thus the exegetical focus remains on the semantic and pragmatic interpretation of the established text.
Lexically, the phrase combines the aorist active participle of ἀνίστημι (anistēmi, “to rise, stand up”) with the future indicative of πορεύομαι (poreuomai, “to go, travel”). Both KITTEL’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) and BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) are instructive regarding such constructions. BDAG, for instance, explicitly notes that ἀναστὰς (and its finite verb equivalent) frequently serves as an introductory or inceptive element in narrative, often without implying a literal prior seated or prone position. It can function adverbially to mean “then he went,” “he set out,” or “he got up and went,” emphasizing the commencement of an action. KITTEL, in its discussion of ἀνίστημι, similarly highlights its use to mark the beginning of an action or event, particularly in the Septuagint (LXX) and New Testament, often translating Hebrew constructions where it has a similar inceptive force. This idiomatic usage is akin to the English “to get up and go,” which can imply merely “to leave” or “to depart” rather than a literal transition from a seated posture. The combination, therefore, signals a decisive initiation of movement or journey.
Translation Variants with Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
Grammatically, ἀναστάς is an aorist active participle modifying the implicit subject of πορεύσομαι (“I”). This participial construction, often called a supplementary or circumstantial participle, typically describes an action closely connected to the main verb, either preceding it in time or describing a concomitant circumstance. When combined with a verb of motion, as here, and particularly with verbs like πορεύομαι, it frequently functions as an idiom indicating the beginning of a journey or movement. This phenomenon is observable in both the Septuagint and the New Testament, where such constructions serve as narrative devices to advance the plot.
For instance, in the Septuagint translation of 1 Samuel 17:48, a similar construction is found: καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ ἀλλόφυλος καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς συνάντησιν Δαυιδ (kai anestē ho allophylos kai eporeuthē eis synantēsin Dauid, “And the Philistine arose and went to meet David”). While this uses finite verbs, the rhetorical effect is similar to the participial construction in Luke 15:18. In both contexts, the phrase signals the commencement of an intentional movement towards a destination, rather than simply stating a physical shift in posture followed by movement. To insist on a literal “arising” from a seated position in such contexts, as the original discussion points out regarding Goliath, often leads to anachronistic or contextually inappropriate interpretations.
Rhetorically, understanding ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι as an idiom for “to set out” or “to get going” conveys a sense of decisive action and immediate resolve on the part of the Prodigal Son. It emphasizes his determination to act upon his repentance and return to his father. A literal translation, “I will arise and go,” might inadvertently draw attention to the physical act of standing, which is irrelevant to the narrative’s thrust, potentially diluting the impact of his resolute decision. The idiomatic rendering captures the full force of the Prodigal’s commitment to change his circumstances, initiating his journey home without delay or equivocation.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The evidence from lexical studies, comparative biblical usage (especially the Septuagint), and grammatical analysis strongly supports the interpretation of ἀναστὰς πορεύσομαι in Luke 15:18 as an idiomatic expression meaning “to set out” or “to get going.” This construction emphasizes the immediate and determined initiation of a journey or action, rather than a literal two-step process of standing up followed by walking.
Based on this analysis, the following translation suggestions are offered:
- “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’”
This translation maintains a literal rendering of the Greek verbs, but risks being semantically misleading by overemphasizing a physical change in posture, which is not the primary point. - “I will set out for my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’”
This rendering accurately captures the inceptive and idiomatic sense of the Greek phrase, prioritizing the meaning of initiating a journey or movement. - “I will get going to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’”
A more dynamic and slightly more colloquial translation that effectively conveys the urgency and singular action implied by the idiom.