Luke 15:28

KJV

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he was angry {G3710}, and {G2532} would {G2309} not {G3756} go in {G1525}: therefore {G3767} came {G1831} his {G846} father {G3962} out {G1831}, and intreated {G3870} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the older son became angry and refused to go inside.

“So his father came out and pleaded with him.

Berean Standard Bible

The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.

American Standard Version

But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 15:28 vividly portrays the elder son's indignant reaction to his younger brother's return and the father's lavish celebration. Overwhelmed by anger and a sense of injustice, he refuses to join the festivities, prompting his compassionate father to leave the joyous gathering and personally appeal to him, demonstrating an unwavering love that extends even to the self-righteous and resentful.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in the [Parable of the Prodigal Son](/luke/15-11-32 "Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Lost Son"), which itself is the climax of a trilogy of parables in [Luke 15](/luke/15 "Luke 15 - Parables of the Lost"). Preceded by the parables of the [lost sheep](/luke/15-3-7 "Luke 15:3-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep") and the [lost coin](/luke/15-8-10 "Luke 15:8-10 - The Parable of the Lost Coin"), all three emphasize God's profound joy over the repentance of a single sinner. Immediately before this verse, the younger son, having squandered his inheritance, returns home, and the father's overwhelming joy leads to an extravagant celebration with a feast, music, and dancing, symbolized by the killing of the fattened calf and the restoration of his son's status ([Luke 15:20-24](/luke/15-20-24 "Luke 15:20-24 - The Father's Embrace and Celebration")). The elder brother's anger thus starkly contrasts with the father's boundless grace and the general atmosphere of rejoicing.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, the elder son held a position of significant honor and responsibility, often receiving a double portion of the inheritance and being expected to manage the family estate. His faithful service in the fields would have been seen as commendable. The younger son's demand for his inheritance early and subsequent squandering of it would have brought immense shame upon the family, effectively treating his father as dead. A father's act of running to meet his son ([Luke 15:20](/luke/15-20 "Luke 15:20 - The Father Runs to His Son")), embracing him, and throwing a lavish feast was an extraordinary display of unconditional love and public restoration, defying social norms of honor and shame. The parable's primary audience, the Pharisees and scribes, who grumbled about Jesus associating with "sinners" ([Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Eats with Sinners")), would have identified with the elder brother's self-righteous indignation and his inability to celebrate the restoration of those they deemed unworthy.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 15:28 powerfully introduces and amplifies several key themes. It highlights the stark **contrast between grace and legalism**, as the elder brother's reaction embodies a works-based mentality, believing his faithful service should earn him favor and that his brother deserves punishment, not celebration. This contrasts sharply with the father's [unconditional love and radical grace](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love for Sinners") extended to the undeserving. The verse also underscores the theme of **misunderstanding true sonship**; the elder brother views his relationship with his father as one of servitude ("these many years do I serve thee," [Luke 15:29](/luke/15-29 "Luke 15:29 - The Elder Brother's Complaint")), rather than one of joyful, loving belonging within the family. Furthermore, it reveals the destructive nature of **envy and resentment**, demonstrating how such emotions can blind one to the joy of others and alienate one from the very source of blessing. Finally, the father's action in this verse beautifully illustrates **God's persistent, patient, and pursuing love**, reaching out even to those who are physically present but spiritually distant and alienated by their own hearts, mirroring His desire for all to enter into His joy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **angry (Greek, _orgízō'_):** From ὀργή, meaning to provoke or enrage, or passively, to become exasperated. Here, it denotes a deep-seated, simmering indignation and wrath that the elder brother feels. His anger is not a fleeting emotion but a profound internal state rooted in his perception of injustice and his brother's unworthiness. It reveals a heart that struggles with grace and is consumed by a legalistic sense of fairness.
* **would not (Greek, _thélō'_):** From θέλω, meaning to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse), to choose or prefer, to wish, or to be inclined to. The use of "would not" signifies a deliberate, volitional refusal on the elder brother's part. It's not that he *could not* go in, but that he *chose not* to, driven by his internal anger and resentment. This highlights his stubborn will and his active rejection of the father's joy and the family's reconciliation.
* **intreated (Greek, _parakaléō'_):** From παρά and καλέω, meaning to call near, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation, or consolation), beseech, comfort, desire, exhort, or pray. This word is highly significant. It implies a gentle, persuasive appeal rather than a command. The father doesn't force his son, but humbly and lovingly calls him to reconciliation and participation in the joy. This mirrors the Holy Spirit as the "Paraclete" (Comforter/Helper), emphasizing divine invitation and compassionate persuasion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he was angry":** This clause immediately reveals the elder brother's emotional state. His anger is the primary driver of his subsequent actions, stemming from a deeply ingrained sense of injustice and resentment towards his younger brother, who he believes has squandered his inheritance and brought dishonor, yet is now being celebrated. This anger also likely reflects his own self-righteousness, feeling that his years of obedient service have gone unrewarded in comparison to the prodigal's reception.
* **"and would not go in":** This signifies a deliberate, volitional act of rebellion and separation. Despite the joyous celebration happening inside, the elder brother chooses to remain outside, physically present but spiritually alienated. His refusal to enter is a rejection of the father's grace, the family's reconciliation, and the very spirit of celebration. It highlights his inability to partake in joy that he perceives as undeserved by others.
* **"therefore came his father out":** This clause underscores the father's extraordinary love and initiative. Instead of demanding his elder son's presence or letting him stew in his anger, the father, the master of the house, leaves the celebration to pursue his alienated son. This act mirrors God's own relentless pursuit of humanity, reaching out to those who are lost, whether through outright rebellion or through self-righteous isolation.
* **"and intreated him":** The father's action is not one of condemnation or command, but of tender persuasion. The Greek word *parakaléō* implies a gentle appeal, an exhortation, and a comforting invitation. The father is not forcing his son but is lovingly calling him to reconsider, to understand his perspective, and to join in the family's joy. This demonstrates profound patience, humility, and a desire for reconciliation, even with the son who is "lost" in his own self-righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is central, highlighting the stark difference between the father's boundless grace and the elder son's rigid legalism and resentment. The joyous celebration within the house contrasts sharply with the elder son's anger and self-imposed isolation outside. **Symbolism** is also at play: the "going in" symbolizes entering into the joy and fellowship of the Kingdom of God, while "would not go in" symbolizes a refusal to embrace grace and participate in God's redemptive work. The father's act of "coming out" is symbolic of God's active pursuit of all His children, regardless of their spiritual state. There is also a subtle **irony** in the narrative: the son who remained "faithful" and physically present is effectively "lost" in his heart, outside the celebration, while the "lost" son is now found and inside, enjoying fellowship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 15:28 serves as a profound theological mirror, reflecting the human tendency towards legalism and the divine nature of persistent, unconditional love. The elder brother's anger reveals the human struggle with grace, where a focus on personal merit and perceived fairness can blind one to the boundless generosity of God. His inability to rejoice in his brother's restoration exposes the spiritual danger of self-righteousness, which often leads to alienation from God's heart and from fellow believers. The father's compassionate outreach, however, beautifully illustrates God's own character: He does not abandon those who are lost in their self-sufficiency, but actively pursues them with gentle persuasion, desiring their full participation in His kingdom of joy and grace. This verse reminds us that God's love extends beyond human concepts of worthiness, calling all to embrace His unmerited favor and to share in His joy over every soul redeemed.

* [Matthew 20:1-16](/matthew/20-1-16 "Matthew 20:1-16 - The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard")
* [Romans 9:30-32](/romans/9-30-32 "Romans 9:30-32 - Righteousness by Faith, Not Works")
* [Galatians 5:4](/galatians/5-4 "Galatians 5:4 - Falling from Grace by Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 15:28 offers a powerful invitation to self-reflection, challenging us to examine our own hearts for traces of the elder brother's spirit. Do we ever find ourselves resentful when others, whom we deem less deserving, receive blessings or grace? Are we sometimes so focused on our own "good works" or perceived righteousness that we miss the joy of God's kingdom, particularly the joy of seeing others come to repentance and restoration? This verse calls us to move beyond a transactional view of our relationship with God and others, embracing instead a heart of radical grace. It urges us to celebrate the redemption of every soul, to extend forgiveness freely, and to welcome those who return to the fold, rather than judging them from a distance. The father's patient pursuit of his elder son reminds us that God's love is not only for the outwardly rebellious but also for those who are inwardly alienated by their own self-righteousness. We are called to embody this same patient, pursuing love in our relationships, seeking reconciliation and inviting others into the fullness of God's joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to operate from a spirit of legalism rather than grace?**
* **When someone I perceive as less deserving receives a blessing or opportunity, do I feel resentment, or can I genuinely rejoice with them?**
* **How might my own self-righteousness prevent me from fully experiencing the joy of God's kingdom or from connecting deeply with others?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that mirrors the father's patient and pursuing love, even towards those who are difficult or resistant?**

### FAQ
**Why was the elder brother so angry, and what does his anger represent?**

Answer: The elder brother's anger stemmed from a profound sense of injustice and perceived unfairness. He had faithfully served his father for years, adhering to all the rules, while his younger brother had squandered his inheritance and brought shame upon the family. In his view, the younger brother deserved punishment, not a lavish celebration. His anger represents a legalistic mindset, a focus on merit and works rather than grace. He embodies the attitude of the Pharisees and scribes, who grumbled when Jesus associated with "sinners" ([Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Eats with Sinners")), believing that their own obedience made them more deserving of God's favor and that "sinners" should be excluded. His anger highlights the spiritual danger of self-righteousness, which can alienate one from God's boundless love and the joy of His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 15:28, though focusing on the elder brother's rejection, ultimately points to the heart of God the Father, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. The father's compassionate act of leaving the celebration to "entreat" his angry, self-righteous son is a profound foreshadowing of Christ's mission. Just as the father pursued the son who was physically present but spiritually distant, so Jesus came not only for the outwardly "lost" sinners but also for those who, like the elder brother, were "lost" in their own self-righteousness and legalism. Jesus consistently reached out to the Pharisees and religious leaders, inviting them to understand true righteousness, which comes through faith and grace, not works ([Matthew 9:12-13](/matthew/9-12-13 "Matthew 9:12-13 - Jesus Came for Sinners")). The father's *parakaléō* (entreaty) beautifully illustrates God's gentle, persuasive call to repentance and reconciliation, a call that culminates in Christ's atoning work on the cross, making it possible for all, whether prodigal or self-righteous, to enter into the Father's house of joy and grace ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Sinners")). Through Christ, the feast of salvation is open to everyone who responds to the Father's loving invitation, offering true sonship and belonging far beyond what any human merit could earn ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 18:8

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed [but] thousands: and [what] can he have more but the kingdom?

Jonah 4:9

And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, [even] unto death.

Genesis 4:5

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

Genesis 4:7

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Jonah 4:1

¶ But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

Jonah 4:4

Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

Isaiah 65:5

Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.