The Paraable Of The Lost Son
The Parable Of The Lost Son
15:11, 12 The parable of the prodigal son is the most familiar and beloved of all Christ’s parables. It is one of the longest and most detailed parables. And unlike most parables, it has more than one lesson. The prodigal is an example of sound repentance. The elder brother illustrates the wickedness of the Pharisees’ self-righteousness, prejudice, and indifference toward repenting sinners. And the father pictures God, eager to forgive, and longing for the return of the sinner. The main feature, however, as in the other two parables in this chapter, is the joy of God, the celebrations that fill heaven when a sinner repents.
15:12 give me the portion of goods that falls to me. A shocking request, tantamount to saying he wished his father were dead. He was not entitled to any inheritance while his father still lived. Yet the father graciously fulfilled the request, giving him his full portion, which would have been one-third of the entire estate—because the right of the firstborn (Deut. 21:17) gave the elder brother a double portion. This act pictures all sinners (related to God the Father by creation), who waste their potential privileges and refuse any relationship with Him, choosing instead a life of sinful self-indulgence.
15:13 gathered all together. The prodigal son evidently took his share in liquid assets, and left, abandoning his father, and heading into a life of iniquity. prodigal living. Not merely wasteful extravagance, but also wanton immorality (v. 30). The Gr. word for “prodigal” means “dissolute” and conveys the idea of an utterly debauched lifestyle.
15:15 to feed swine. This was the worst sort of degradation imaginable for Jesus’ Jewish audience; swine were the worst sort of unclean animals.
15:16 would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods. I.e., Carob pods, used to feed swine but virtually undigestible for humans. In other words, the only reason he did not eat the same food as the swine is that he could not. no one gave him anything. He could not even eke out a living by begging. His situation could hardly have been more desperate. Thus he symbolizes the estranged sinner who is helpless in despair.
15:17 came to himself. I.e., came to his senses. When his incessant sinning had left him utterly bankrupt and hungry, he was able to think more clearly. In that condition, he was a candidate for salvation (see notes on Matt. 5:3–6).
15:18 will say to him. He carefully contemplated what he would say and counted the cost of his repentance (v. 19). sinned against heaven. A euphemism, meaning he had sinned against God. He not only realized the futility of his situation, but he also understood the gravity of his transgressions against the father.
15:20 his father saw him. Clearly, the father had been waiting and looking for his son’s return. ran. The father’s eagerness and joy at his son’s return is unmistakable. This is the magnificent attribute of God that sets Him apart from all the false gods invented by men and demons. He is not indifferent or hostile, but a Savior by nature, longing to see sinners repent and rejoicing when they do. See notes on 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10. From Gen. 3:8 to Rev. 22:17, from the fall to the consummation, God has been and will be seeking to save sinners, and rejoicing each time one repents and is converted.
15:21 Note that the son did not get to finish his rehearsed words of repentance before the father interrupted to grant forgiveness. This pictures God’s eagerness to forgive.
15:22 the father said. Without a single word of rebuke, for the past, the father pours out his love for the son, and expresses his joy that what was lost had been found. Each of the father’s gifts said something unique about his acceptance of the son: robe. Reserved for the guest of honor. ring. A symbol of authority. sandals. These were not usually worn by slaves, and therefore signified his full restoration to sonship.
15:23 the fatted calf. Reserved only for the most special of occasions—a sacrifice or a feast of great celebration. All this (vv. 22, 23) symbolizes the lavishness of salvation’s blessings (cf. Eph. 1:3; 2:4–7).
15:25 older son. He symbolizes the Pharisee, the hypocritical religious person, who stays close to the place of the Father (the temple) but has no sense of sin, no real love for the Father (so as to share in His joy), and no interest in repenting sinners.
15:28 he was angry. This parallels the complaining done by the scribes and Pharisees (v. 2).
15:29 I never transgressed your commandment at any time. Unlikely, given the boy’s obvious contempt for his father, shown by his refusal to participate in the father’s great joy. This statement reveals the telltale problem with all religious hypocrites. They will not recognize their sin and repent (see notes on Matt. 9:12, 13; 19:16–20). The elder son’s comment reeks of the same spirit as the words of the Pharisee in 18:11. you never gave me a young goat. All those years of service to the father appear to have been motivated too much by concern what he could get for himself. This son’s self-righteous behavior was more socially acceptable than the younger brother’s debauchery, but it was equally dishonoring to the father—and called for repentance.
15:30 this son of yours. An expression of deep contempt (cf. “this tax collector” in 18:11). He could not bring himself to refer to him as “my brother.”
15:31 all that I have is yours. The inheritance had already been distributed (v. 12). Everything the father had was literally in the elder son’s possession. Yet the elder son was begrudging even the love the father showed to the prodigal son. The Pharisees and scribes had easy access to all the riches of God’s truth. They spent their lives dealing with Scripture and public worship—but they never really possessed any of the treasures enjoyed by the repentant sinner.
15:32 It was right that we should make merry. This summarizes the point of all 3 parables. your brother. See note on v. 30.