Luke 15:11

A certain man. [The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32. On parables see pp. 203-207.] For the circumstances under which this parable was spoken and for its relationship to the two preceding parables see on vs. 3, 4, 8. Though Inspiration has not indicated precisely when and where this parable was spoken, it is reasonable to think that it was given either at the same time as the two that precede it, or very shortly after.

This, perhaps the most famous of all the parables of Jesus, consists of two parts. The first part (vs. 11-24) emphasizes the emotions of the father of the lost son, his love for the boy, and his joy when the prodigal returned. The second part (vs. 25-32) is a rebuke to those who, like the elder son, resented the father’s love and joy. This latter section was probably Christ’s answer to the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees (see v. 2). Whereas the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin stress God’s part in the work of redemption, the parable of the Lost Son emphasizes man’s part in responding to the love of God and acting in harmony with it. The Jews had completely misconstrued the nature of divine love (see on v. 7). In the parable the younger son represents the publicans and the sinners, the older son, the scribes and the Pharisees.