Luke 15:17

“And when he came to himself, etc.] An unregenerate man, whether while a voluptuous man, or a self-righteous man, is not himself; he is beside himself; and is no other than a madman. The man that pursues his worldly lusts and pleasures, promises himself liberty, while he is a slave; he ruins himself, his soul, body, and estate, and chooses to do it rather than part with his lusts; he takes delight in doing mischief himself, and in seeing it done by others; he proclaims his folly publicly, declares his sin, and glories in it; all which a man in his right mind would never do. The selfrighteous person trusts in his own heart, which is the greatest madness and folly in the world; he compasses…”

“came to himself--Before, he had been "beside himself" (Ecc 9:3), in what sense will presently appear. How many hired, &c.--What a testimony to the nature of the home he had left! But did he not know all this ere he departed and every day of his voluntary exile? He did, and he did not. His heart being wholly estranged from home and steeped in selfish gratification, his father's house never came within the range of his vision, or but as another name for bondage and gloom. Now empty, desolate, withered, perishing, home, with all its peace, plenty, freedom, dignity, starts into view, fills all his visions as a warm and living reality, and breaks his heart.”

“He came to himself - This is a very expressive phrase. It is commonly applied to one who has been “deranged,” and when he recovers we say he has “come to himself.” In this place it denotes that the folly of the young man was a kind of derangement - that he was insane. So it is of every sinner. Madness is in their hearts Ecclesiastes 9:3; they are estranged from God, and led, by the influence of evil passions, contrary to their better judgment and the decisions of a sound mind. Hired servants - Those in a low condition of life - those who were not born to wealth, and who had no friends to provide for them. I perish - I, who had property and a kind father, and who might have been provided for…”

“And coming to himself - For till then he was beside himself, as all men are, so long as they are without God in the world. Luke 15:18”

“when: Luk 8:35, Luk 16:23; Psa 73:20; Ecc 9:3; Jer 31:19; Eze 18:28; Act 2:37, Act 16:29; Act 16:30, Act 26:11-19; Eph 2:4, Eph 2:5, Eph 5:14; Tit 3:4-6; Jam 1:16-18 How: Luk 15:18, Luk 15:19; Lam 1:7 Luke 15:18”