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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Luke 15:25 - 15:32
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk_15:25-32
25"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began imploring him. 29But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.' 31And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"
Luk_15:25 "older son" If the prodigal represents lost and fallen humanity, then the older son represents the self-righteous attitude of religious leaders.
This parable has two main truths:
1. God's joy over one who repents
2. God's pain when part of His spiritual family will not forgive and accept other parts of the sinful family
In many ways nothing has changed. Sin and unforgiveness still live in the church building! There are two types of estrangement:
1. open rebellion
2. hidden superiority and jealousy
Each of these sons, for opposite reasons, was out of fellowship with the father.
Luk_15:28 God loves Pharisees also!
Luk_15:29 "I have been serving you" This shows the son's pent-up anger and resentment, possibly even jealousy and envy. The older son feels he deserves the father's love because of his obedience and continuance (i.e., self-righteous legalism, cf. parable at Mat_20:1-16).
▣ "never given me a young goat" This was a less expensive animal than the fattened calf. He feels neglected.
Luk_15:30 "this son of yours" This phrase shows the depth of the older sons anger and continued rejection of his brother.
▣ "with prostitutes" This was only speculation on the elder son's part.
Luk_15:31 "all that is mine is yours" The remaining inheritance belonged completely to this son. The life and livelihood of the younger son was, in reality, in the hands of the older brother. The younger son was completely at the older brother's mercy once the father died.
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