11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:11-32 KJV)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The parable of the prodigal son shows how pleasing to God the conversion of great sinners is, and how ready he is to receive them when they repent. It richly portrays the grace of the gospel and has long encouraged sinners seeking to return to God.
It presents God as a common Father to all humanity (Malachi 2:10). He gives life and provision, and he deals with us based on our faithfulness. The parable hints that the publicans and sinners the Pharisees despised were in fact their brothers. God is not only the God of the Jews but also of the Gentiles (Romans 3:29), merciful to all who call on him.
The two sons represent different characters. The younger is impulsive, like publicans and Gentiles whom Christ came to save. The older represents the Jews, especially the Pharisees, to whom Jesus extends the same grace.
The younger son’s demand—“Give me my share” (Luke 15:12)—shows the prideful independence that leads many into sin. Like Adam and Eve, he wanted freedom from God’s rule, thinking he could manage on his own. The father granted his request, illustrating how God allows sinners the freedom to choose, even when they misuse his gifts.
Soon after, the son left and squandered his wealth through reckless living (Luke 15:13). He went to a “far country”—a life far from God—and wasted all he had. Sin wastes mind, body, time, and opportunity. Eventually, a famine arose, and he began to be in want (Luke 15:14), a picture of spiritual ruin.
He joined himself to a citizen of that country and was sent to feed pigs (Luke 15:15), an especially degrading job for a Jew. He longed to eat the pigs’ food, but no one gave him any (Luke 15:16). This is how sin starves the soul. The world, once trusted, gives nothing when truly needed.
The father later says, “This my son was dead” (Luke 15:24, 32)—he was spiritually lifeless, lost, and mad. But when he “came to himself” (Luke 15:17), he remembered how well even the hired servants lived in his father’s house. Affliction, blessed by grace, can open our eyes to the emptiness of sin.
He resolved to return: “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:18). True repentance isn’t just thinking, but turning. He rehearsed his confession: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you” (Luke 15:18-19), admitting his unworthiness and asking to be made a servant.
While he was still a long way off, his father saw him (Luke 15:20). God anticipates returning sinners. The father ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him, showing how welcome true penitents are to God. The son confessed his sin, even after receiving mercy, showing true sorrow and humility.
Before he could finish asking to be a servant, the father ordered the best robe, a ring, and sandals for him (Luke 15:22). This symbolizes the robe of Christ’s righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), the Spirit’s seal (Ephesians 1:13), and the gospel’s peace (Ephesians 6:15). He was not only forgiven but honored.
Then came a feast: “Bring the fattened calf and kill it” (Luke 15:23). This celebration was not just for him but for the whole household: “Let us eat and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again” (Luke 15:24). What a change—from feeding pigs to feasting in his father’s house!
The elder son’s response shows the attitude of the Pharisees. When he learned his brother had returned, he became angry and refused to go in (Luke 15:28). He exaggerated his own obedience—“I never disobeyed you” (Luke 15:29)—and his brother’s sin—“He devoured your property with prostitutes” (Luke 15:30), though that wasn’t previously stated.
He envied his brother’s welcome and resented the feast. But the father gently reminded him, “You are always with me, and all that I have is yours” (Luke 15:31). The elder brother had his inheritance and communion with the father. The celebration was not a loss to him.
Finally, the father explained, “It was right to celebrate… this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32). This joy was natural and right. We should rejoice over repentance because it glorifies God and fulfills his purpose in saving sinners.