Parable of The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

(11)  And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.

(12)  And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.

(13)  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

(14)  And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

(15)  So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

(16)  And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

(17)  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

(18)  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

(19)  I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

(20)  And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

(21)  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

(22)  But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

(23)  And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

(24)  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

(25)  “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

(26)  And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

(27)  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

(28)  But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

(29)  but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

(30)  But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

(31)  And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

(32)  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

The fifteenth chapter of Luke includes three of Jesus’s most cherished parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. These stories share a common theme: they respond to the complaints of the scribes and Pharisees, who grumbled because Jesus welcomed “sinners” and dined with them (Luke 15:1-2, ESV).

Who were these "sinners"? They were fellow Jews who, in the eyes of the religious elite, had broken the Law or ignored the traditions of their ancestors. To the scribes and Pharisees, these individuals were outcasts—unworthy of grace, compassion, or fellowship.

But Jesus saw something deeper. To Him, these “lost ones” were like wandering sheep needing a shepherd, valuable coins that simply needed to be found, and—most poignantly—lost sons who needed to return home to the Father.

More Than a Story of a Wayward Son

Most often, the third parable is known as “The Prodigal Son.” But if we listen closely, especially in the context in which Jesus told it, the heart of this story is not only about the wayward younger brother. Instead, it highlights the older brother—the one who stayed home, obeyed, but failed to understand the Father’s heart. Jesus’s true audience was not just the “sinners,” but the Pharisees and scribes, and through this parable, He held up a mirror to their self-righteousness.

Let’s walk through the narrative:

The Younger Son’s Journey

The story begins with a father and his two sons. The younger, restless and eager for independence, demands his inheritance—essentially, wishing his father were dead. Surprisingly, the father grants the request. The young man soon wastes his wealth in reckless living (Luke 15:13). “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34, ESV)

Calamity follows. Broke and alone, he is forced to feed pigs—unclean animals for Jews, highlighting both his desperation and the depths to which he has fallen. He hungers for the very pods the pigs eat, but no one offers him anything (Luke 15:16). This is where the so-called ‘freedom’ of sin leads: misery and want.

Then, a breakthrough: “But when he came to himself…” (Luke 15:17, ESV). Sometimes, only at rock bottom do we clearly see our condition. Remorseful, he resolves to return, confess, and beg for a servant’s place in his father’s house.

The Father’s Grace

While the son is “still a long way off,” the father sees him, is moved with compassion, runs to him, embraces him, and kisses him (Luke 15:20). This is no ordinary welcome—it is a lavish outpouring of love. The son begins his confession, but the father interrupts, instructing his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and shoes—for his lost son has returned home. Then, they kill the fattened calf and begin to celebrate (Luke 15:22-24).

What a picture of God’s grace! A destitute, repentant sinner returns, and the Father restores him entirely—granting him all the rights and privileges of sonship. As Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3, ESV).

But the story doesn't end here.

The Older Brother’s Resentment

As the celebration unfolds, the older brother comes in from the field. He hears music and dancing and is told the reason: “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound” (Luke 15:27, ESV).

Instead of rejoicing, the older son is angry and refuses to join in. His father comes out and pleads with him. The son’s bitterness spills over: “Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!” (Luke 15:29-30, ESV).

Notice how the older brother distances himself: “this son of yours”—not “my brother.” The father’s gentle response is profound: “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:31-32, ESV) The older brother didn’t realize that he was also lost. He was lost in his pride, resentment, and self-righteousness. He missed the joy of restoration because he misunderstood the Father's heart.

The Heart of the Father

What makes a shepherd rejoice? The recovery of a lost sheep. What delights a woman? Finding her lost coin. What fills a father with joy? The return of a lost son. So it is with God: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10, ESV).

Jesus’s critics, the “righteous” scribes and Pharisees, failed to understand this heart. They were angry because Jesus offered grace and table fellowship to notorious sinners. But God rejoices when a single lost person is found and restored.

An Open Ending—A Question for Us

The parable ends suddenly. We are left wondering: Did the older brother ever go in? Or did he, in his pride and jealousy, stay outside? Jesus leaves the story open because it was meant for the religious leaders—and for all of us. Will we join the Father’s celebration, or stay outside, resentful and self-righteous?

The question remains: Are our hearts aligned with God’s heart? Do we rejoice when the lost are found? The parable invites us to examine ourselves: Is my heart where God’s heart is?

Reflection:

As we read this parable, may we recognize our need for grace and the call to share the Father’s joy when others return home. God’s mercy is abundant, His love boundless, and His heart always longs for the lost to be found.