Luke 15:21

πάτερ, ἥμαρτον. ‘Father, I sinned.’ There is a deeper accent in this ἥμαρτον than in that of Luke 15:18. Then he spoke in remorse for consequences; now in contrition for offences. Like a true penitent he grieves not for what he has lost, but for what he has done. Here again the language of David furnishes the truest and most touching comment, “I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin,” Psalms 32:5. “There is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared,” Psalms 130:4. The Prodigal’s penitence is not mere sorrow for punishment.

ἥμαρτον εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν. This includes and surpasses all the other guilt, which is the reason why David, though he had sinned so deeply against man, says “against Thee, Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight,” Psalms 51:4.

ἐνώπιον. See Luke 1:6; Luke 4:7, &c.