The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
What is the real meaning of the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15?
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates God’s boundless grace and forgiveness. Jesus tells the story of a younger son who squanders his inheritance in reckless living but returns home in repentance, only to be welcomed with open arms by his father. The parable reveals the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents and emphasizes that God is always ready to forgive those who return, no matter how far they have fallen. It challenges both self-righteousness and despair, calling all to experience the Father’s love and mercy.
Introduction
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most beloved and profound teachings of Jesus. It is the third parable in Luke 15, following the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. Each of these parables highlights God's relentless pursuit of the lost, but the Prodigal Son takes it a step further, showing not only God's grace but also the response of those who struggle to accept it.
Jesus tells this story in response to the Pharisees’ complaint that He welcomes sinners and eats with them (Luke 15:1-2). Through this parable, He illustrates the boundless mercy of God, the dangers of self-righteousness, and the true meaning of repentance.
Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son (1669) is a poignant portrayal of forgiveness, mercy, and redemption. This captures the tender moment when the prodigal son returns and is embraced by his father. Notice the warm light and the emotional depth. The father places his hands on his son’s shoulder. And interesting detail is the cleanliness and wholeness of the red robes and the tattered clothes of the returning son. Old brother looks on.
Verse-by-Verses Breakdown of Luke 15:11-32 and Commentary
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is intricately connected to the two preceding parables—the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) and the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)—as all three illustrate the theme of God’s pursuit of the lost and the joy of their restoration. In the first two parables, Jesus emphasizes the diligent efforts of the shepherd and the woman who search for their lost possessions, rejoicing when they are found. This theme of pursuit and celebration echoes the father’s actions in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, where he eagerly awaits and runs to embrace his lost son upon his return. The joy in these parables is not about the worthiness of the lost items or the sinner, but about the love of the one who searches and welcomes them back. In all three stories, the focus is not on the wrongdoer’s deserving of grace, but on the overwhelming mercy and joy of the one who forgives and restores.
The connection deepens when we consider the reaction of the older son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, who embodies the self-righteous attitude of the Pharisees. The grumbling of the elder son mirrors the complaint of the Pharisees in Luke 15:2, who criticize Jesus for welcoming sinners and eating with them. In both the elder son’s refusal to join the celebration and the Pharisees’ disdain for Jesus’ table fellowship with tax collectors and sinners, we see a contrast between a transactional understanding of grace—where rewards are earned through obedience—and the radical, unconditional grace of God that freely extends forgiveness to the lost. The parables together challenge the listener to reconsider their attitudes toward repentance and grace, emphasizing that God’s love is not earned, but given freely, and that there is great joy in the reconciliation of the lost to the Father.
Read a chapter summary and outline of Luke 15.
Luke 15:11-12
"Then Jesus said, 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me." So he divided his property between them.'"
The younger son's request is shocking. In Jewish culture, inheritance was distributed after the father’s death, and the elder son typically received a double portion (Deuteronomy 21:17). By asking for his share early, the younger son is essentially saying, "I wish you were dead." The father, remarkably, grants his request.
Luke 15:13-16
"A few days later, the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything."
The younger son’s journey into self-destruction begins with the choice to leave his father’s house and venture into a distant land. He seeks independence, but this freedom quickly turns to bondage as he squanders his wealth in a life of excess and indulgence. This choice reveals the allure of worldly pleasures and how they often promise fulfillment but deliver emptiness. As he depletes his resources, a severe famine strikes the land, symbolizing the consequences of his reckless living. His external circumstances reflect his internal desolation—a man who, in the pursuit of freedom, has lost everything.
In his desperation, the son is forced to hire himself out to a Gentile, a stark contrast to his life of privilege back home. He is sent to feed pigs, a task that is both physically degrading and spiritually humiliating for a Jewish man. Pigs were considered unclean in Jewish law (Leviticus 11:7), and his association with them highlights his moral and spiritual fall. The son is reduced to longing for the pigs’ food, a symbol of the complete degradation he has experienced. This moment of hunger and hopelessness is a clear image of how sin, when unchecked, leads to utter emptiness. Yet, it is in this very moment of total despair that the possibility of repentance and reconciliation begins to emerge.
The story reveals the futility of living apart from the Father and serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of sin. The son’s condition emphasizes how, without God, we are left to wander in isolation, longing for what cannot satisfy. His experience mirrors the reality of those who pursue life away from the Lord—ultimately, it leaves us empty, hungry, and in need of grace.
Luke 15:17-19
"But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."’"
In a moment of clarity, the son “came to himself.” This phrase is more than just a realization; it signifies repentance. It’s the point at which the son stops running from his guilt and begins to confront the consequences of his actions. His recognition is profound—he realizes that he has not only sinned against his father, but also against heaven, against God. His selfish pursuit of independence has led him to spiritual and physical ruin, and now, in the midst of hunger and despair, he understands the gravity of his mistake.
The son’s decision to return home marks a turning point in the story. He plans not to reclaim his position as a son but to humble himself and ask for the position of a hired servant, one of the lowest statuses in his father’s house. His statement, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son,” demonstrates his awareness of his unworthiness. He does not presume to be restored to his former place in the family but instead hopes for the basic mercy of being allowed to survive as a servant.
This act of repentance is deeply significant. The son’s humility and willingness to face the consequences of his actions reflect the heart of genuine repentance. His recognition of his sin against both his father and God points to the nature of true reconciliation—it’s not about bargaining for privilege, but humbly seeking forgiveness and mercy. His return to the father symbolizes the turning point in the process of healing, where he acknowledges his brokenness and begins the journey back toward grace.
For the listener or reader, this passage serves as a model for repentance: recognizing one’s sin, acknowledging its consequences, and humbling oneself before God. It’s a picture of the restoration process that begins when we come to our senses, realizing our need for God’s mercy and love.
Luke 15:20-24
"So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate."
As the son begins his journey home, the father’s response is nothing short of extraordinary. While the son is still a long way off, the father sees him and is immediately filled with compassion. The father does not wait for the son to reach him and apologize. Instead, he runs toward him, which in the cultural context of the time, is a remarkable act of humility and love. It was considered undignified for an older man, especially a father, to run, yet the father’s love and urgency to restore his son far outweigh any concern for his own honor. This unexpected act of grace underscores the depth of the father’s forgiveness and willingness to embrace the son back into his family, despite the son’s previous rejection.
Before the son can finish his rehearsed confession, the father interrupts with overwhelming compassion. He orders his servants to bring out the best robe, a sign of honor and full restoration into the family. The ring on his finger symbolizes authority, and the sandals on his feet signify that he is not a servant but a son. These actions show that the father is not only willing to forgive but to fully restore the son to his former status as heir, erasing all the shame and distance caused by the son’s actions. The robe, ring, and sandals signify the completeness of the son’s restoration—not just forgiveness, but full acceptance back into the family with all the privileges that entail.
The father then orders the fatted calf to be killed, and a grand celebration ensues. This feast is not just for the physical return of the son, but for his spiritual resurrection. The father declares, “This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” This echoes the central message of the parable: that reconciliation with God brings new life. The joy of the father over the return of his son mirrors the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10). The celebration is a tangible expression of the love, grace, and mercy that accompany reconciliation, a vivid reminder that God rejoices when the lost are found and the dead are made alive again.
This scene profoundly communicates the lavishness of God’s grace toward sinners. The father’s actions are a picture of God’s readiness to forgive and fully restore those who return to Him in repentance. It challenges our understanding of justice and mercy, showing that while sin may deserve judgment, grace far exceeds what is deserved. This passage beautifully illustrates the joy of reconciliation, both in the family dynamic and in the broader context of the kingdom of God.
Luke 15:25-30
"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!'
As the celebration rages on inside the house, the elder son, returning from the field, is immediately struck by the sound of music and dancing. Confused and curious, he asks one of the servants what is happening. When he learns that his younger brother has returned and that the fatted calf has been killed in celebration of his safe return, his reaction is one of anger and bitterness. Instead of rejoicing at his brother’s return, the elder son refuses to join the celebration, withdrawing in resentment. His actions and words reveal a deep sense of entitlement and self-righteousness.
The elder son’s response is telling. He sees himself as a faithful servant, working diligently for his father’s approval, yet he feels overlooked and unappreciated. He declares, “I have been working like a slave for you,” indicating that he views his relationship with his father as one of mere obligation and transaction. His obedience has been a means to earn favor, rather than an expression of love. The lack of a small reward, even a young goat for a feast with his friends, becomes a symbol of his perceived injustice. His comparison of his own service to the apparent indulgence of his younger brother reveals the depth of his resentment.
What is most striking in the elder son’s words is his contempt for his brother’s actions, which he describes as the squandering of his inheritance “with prostitutes.” The elder son cannot fathom how someone who has so recklessly wasted everything could receive such a lavish welcome. His focus is on the moral failings of his brother, and he is unwilling to see the deeper, redemptive work that is taking place. The elder son’s inability to empathize with the joy of the father over his son’s return highlights his spiritual blindness and his misunderstanding of grace.
The elder son represents the Pharisees, as Jesus is speaking directly to them through this part of the parable. They, too, viewed their adherence to the law and their righteous behavior as a means of earning God’s favor. Just like the elder son, they resented the idea of God’s grace being extended to those they deemed unworthy—those who had “squandered” their lives in sin. The elder son’s bitterness exposes his view of God’s favor as transactional: I obey, and I should be rewarded. This stands in stark contrast to the father’s love, which is not earned, but freely given.
The elder son’s reaction serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-righteousness and the tendency to view our relationship with God as a business deal. True obedience to God should be rooted in love, not in seeking rewards. The elder son’s inability to rejoice in his brother’s restoration reminds us of the importance of humility and grace in the Christian life. God’s love is not reserved for those who “deserve” it but is freely given to all who return to Him in repentance. The parable challenges us to celebrate that grace rather than begrudge it.
Luke 15:31-32
"Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’"
The father gently corrects his older son. The celebration is not a rejection of the elder son's faithfulness but a recognition of the lost being found. The parable ends on an open note—will the elder son join the celebration, or will he stay outside, clinging to his resentment?
The Meaning of the Prodigal Son for Today
1. God’s Love is Extravagant
The father in the parable represents God, who waits for sinners with open arms. No matter how far we run, His love remains constant.
2. Repentance Leads to Restoration
The younger son’s journey shows that true repentance is more than regret—it is a turning back to God.
3. Beware of Self-Righteousness
The elder brother’s attitude warns us against thinking we can earn God’s favor. Grace is a gift.
4. The Joy of Heaven
Jesus emphasizes that heaven rejoices over every sinner who repents. God's kingdom is one of celebration, not condemnation.
FAQ: The Prodigal Son Parable
How long was the Prodigal Son gone?
The parable does not specify the exact duration of the Prodigal Son’s absence, but the fact that he had enough time to squander his inheritance and experience a famine suggests that he was away for a considerable period, perhaps a few years.
How does this connect to the Parable of the Lost Coin and the Lost Sheep?
All three parables illustrate the theme of God’s relentless pursuit of the lost and the joy that comes with their return. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) and the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10) both emphasize the efforts of someone seeking what was lost, highlighting the value placed on each lost item. Similarly, the father in the Prodigal Son parable eagerly anticipates his son’s return, reflecting God’s pursuit of sinners.
Who does the father represent in the parable?
The father in the parable represents God, who is merciful, loving, and always ready to forgive those who repent and return, regardless of their past mistakes.
Who does the Prodigal Son represent?
The Prodigal Son represents sinners—those who stray from God and live in rebellion or selfishness, but eventually recognize their need for repentance and reconciliation with God.
What is the meaning of the word “prodigal”?
“Prodigal” refers to someone who spends money or resources recklessly and extravagantly. It can also imply a sense of wastefulness. In the case of the Prodigal Son, it highlights his irresponsible and indulgent lifestyle before he comes to his senses.
Who does the older brother represent?
The older brother represents the self-righteous individuals, such as the Pharisees, who feel entitled to God’s favor because of their adherence to rules and their lack of perceived sin. His resentment toward the father’s forgiveness of the Prodigal Son reflects a mindset that values obedience over grace. Like his younger brother, he relates to his dad transactionally.
What is the main message of the Prodigal Son?
The main message of the Prodigal Son is that God’s grace is abundant and available to all who repent, regardless of their past. It also addresses the dangers of self-righteousness and the need to rejoice in the restoration of those who are lost. The parable teaches us about forgiveness, unconditional love, and the joy of reconciliation with God.
Thank God for God’s daring pursuit of me and you! —Pastor Jason
