15:11-12 The man in the story had two sons, a younger and an older one (v. 25). Therefore the younger son's inheritance would normally have been one-third of his father's estate since the older son would have received a double portion (Deut. 21:17). However a disposition of the father's estate before his death would have probably yielded this son about two-ninths of the total.354Jesus did not explain the exact terms of the settlement since they were insignificant details. However the son's request evidently precluded any future claim on his father's estate (v. 19).
Normally the inheritance did not pass to the heirs until the death of the father. To request it prematurely was tantamount to expressing a wish that the father would die.
". . . to my knowledge, in all of Middle Eastern literature (aside from this parable) from ancient times to the present, there is no case of any son, older or younger, asking for his inheritance from a father who is still in good health."355
This father's willingness to accommodate his younger son's request shows that he was gracious and generous. Evidently the older son also received his inheritance at the same time (v. 31), though this is not certain. The implication is that the younger son was an older teenager since men usually married about then, and this young man was apparently unmarried.356
15:13-16 Evidently the son turned his assets into cash and then departed to have fun. Feeding pigs was, of course, unclean work for a Jew and a job that any self-respecting Jew would only do out of total desperation (Lev. 11:7). However the son was willing to do this because his need had become so great. The pigs and the son evidently ate the seeds of carob trees.357This was not very nourishing or appetizing fare. He had sunk so low that no one showed him any compassion.
". . . neither sense nor reason exists in sin but the very contrary."358
The Pharisees would have recognized this young man as representing the sinners whom they despised.
15:17-19 "He came to his senses"is an idiom that indicates repentance.359He changed his mind about his attitude and decided to make a change in his behavior. The young man used "heaven"as a euphemism for God (vv. 18, 21). The Jews frequently did this to avoid using God's name in vain, and there are many examples of this in Luke. The young man meant that he viewed his actions as sin against his father and against God (cf. Ps. 51:4). The son's proposal to his father shows the genuineness of his humility and repentance. He was willing to serve his father as a day laborer since his father had a reputation for paying his servants generously (v. 17).
". . . the boy's proposal indicates that, while he desires the father's house, he doesn't understand the father's heart."360
15:20 Since the father saw his son while he was still a great distance from his house, he had apparently been scanning the distant road daily hoping to see him. The father's compassion reflects some knowledge of his son's plight. Perhaps he had kept tabs on him since he left home. The father put feet to his feelings by running out to meet his son. Embracing and kissing him continually also expressed the father's loving acceptance (cf. Gen. 45:14-15; 33:4; 2 Sam. 14:33; Acts 20:37). This attitude also contrasts with the elder brother's attitude and the Pharisees' attitude. The father initiated the restoration of fellowship before the son could articulate his confession.
15:21-24 Evidently the father cut his son's confession short because he knew what was in his heart. Rather than simply accepting his son back, much less making him a servant, the father bestowed the symbols of honor, authority, and freedom on him (cf. Gen. 41:42; Esth. 3:10; 8:8).361Then he prepared a banquet for him that probably represents the messianic banquet (13:29; 14:15-24). People in Jesus' day ate far less meat than Americans do, so their eating meat indicates a very special occasion.
The son had determined to leave the father permanently and so was dead and lost to his father. He now had new life and was found (cf. Eph. 2:1-5). This was just the beginning of rejoicing, the implication being that it would continue through the messianic kingdom (i.e., the Millennium). Jesus' hearers would have understood Him to teach that sinners would enter the kingdom because they came to God by believing in Jesus.
"There is a Buddhist story that provides a fascinating contrast to the Lord's story. It also tells of a son who left home and returned years later in rags and misery. His degradation was so profound that he did not recognize his own father. But his father recognized him and told the servants to take him into the mansion and to clean him up. The father, his identity unrevealed, watched his son's response. Gradually, time wrought changes, and the son became dutiful, considerate, and moral. Satisfied, the father finally revealed his identity and formally accepted his son as his heir.
"The Pharisees would have understood and approved of such a story. It makes sense to wait for a son to achieve worthiness. It is reasonable to treat a repentant person according to the stage of penance achieved. But that is not the Father our Lord describes. It is not a parable of merits. Here is a picture of grace."362
"To an alarming degree it [the evangelical church of today] has lost touch with the unconditional love of God."363
