Luke 15:31

Son. Gr. teknon, “a child,” or “a son.” Here the father does not use the usual word for “son,” huios, but addresses the older brother with the more affectionate term, teknon. It is as if he had said, “my dear boy.”

Thou art ever with me. The younger son had not been “ever” with him, and herein lay the difference for the immediate celebration. Compare the rejoicing of the shepherd over the one lost sheep as compared with that which he feels for the ones that had not strayed from the fold (see on vs. 4, 7). However, the father goes on to point out his equal love for the older son, even if there had been no occasion for showing it by means of a celebration.

All that I have is thine. At the time the father had “divided” his “living” and assigned to the younger son his portion, he had also turned over to the older son the double portion that fell to him by birthright (see on v. 12). The contention that the father had been stingy (v. 29) is proved false. The property was now the elder son’s, and he might have “made merry” with his friends had he chosen to do so. The father herein also assures him that his rights will in no way be impaired by the return of his brother. If it is this that troubles him, he may put away his fears and join in the celebration. One by one the father proves all the arguments advanced by the older son invalid and invites him to join in welcoming his brother (see on v. 28).