Luke 15:25

His elder son. In the parable nothing more is said directly concerning the younger son. His restoration is now complete, and the lesson of the parable in so far as he is concerned — the gracious welcome Heaven accords the returning and repentant sinner — is clear. Thus far Jesus has justified His friendly attitude toward “publicans and sinners” (see on v. 2). The remainder of the parable (vs. 25-32) deals with the attitude of the Pharisees and scribes toward “sinners” (see on v. 2), as represented by the attitude of the elder brother toward the younger. This part of the parable was set forth as a rebuke to these self-righteous hypocrites for their “murmuring” at the way Jesus treated the outcasts of society (v. 2).

In the field. He was at work, as a dutiful son should be (see Matt. 21:28-31). Similarly, the scribes and Pharisees were hard at work in the hope of earning the inheritance the heavenly Father bestows upon faithful sons. But they were serving God, not from love (see on Matt. 22:37), but from a sense of duty and of earning righteousness by works. This same attitude had been true of their fathers in the days of Isaiah (see Isa. 1:11—15) and of Malachi (see Mal. 1:12-14). In place of true obedience they offered God the counterfeit of meticulous adherence to the traditions of men (see on Mark 7:6-13), blissfully ignoring the words of Samuel that “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22; cf. on Matt. 7:21-27).

Musick. Gr. sumphonia, literally, “unison of sound,” from which comes our English word “symphony.” Sumphonia may designate either a number of instruments or voices in unison or an instrument or voices in unison or an instrument resembling bagpipes (see on Dan. 3:5). The feast was probably provided with paid entertainers. Evidently the father spared no efforts to make the return of his long-lost son the occasion for a grand celebration, news of which would certify to all in the town the restored status of the son.