Explore the Bible Online

Luke 15:11-19

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Luke 15:11-19 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 15:11

Theological / Devotional

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.

By SdaBc