The Parable of the Two Sons: A Portrait of God's Grace and Man's Response
Among the rich tapestry of parables woven by our Lord Jesus Christ, none perhaps paints a more vivid and poignant picture of God's boundless grace and the varied responses of humanity than that commonly known as "The Parable of the Prodigal Son." Found in Luke 15:11-32 of the King James Version, this narrative is not merely a story of a wayward youth but a profound theological discourse on repentance, forgiveness, and the dangers of self-righteousness. Jesus delivered this parable in response to the murmuring of the Pharisees and scribes, who complained that He "receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (Luke 15:2). Thus, the parable serves as an explanation and a justification for God's welcoming embrace of the lost.
The Younger Son: Rebellion, Ruin, and Repentance
The parable commences with a certain man who had two sons. The younger son, exhibiting a shocking display of presumption and disrespect, demands his portion of goods that falleth to him. This was tantamount to wishing his father dead, a grave insult in that culture. Despite the grievous nature of this request, the father, in an act of what appears to be permissive love, divides unto them his living. This immediate gratification of desire sets the stage for the son's inevitable downfall.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
His journey into a "far country" symbolizes a departure from the father's benevolent rule and a descent into spiritual and moral depravity. He squandered his inheritance on "riotous living," a life of unrestrained indulgence. Soon, a mighty famine arose in that land, and he began to be in want. This external hardship mirrored his internal spiritual destitution. He was compelled to join himself to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. For a Jew, this was the epitome of degradation, as swine were unclean animals according to Mosaic law. He longed to fill his belly with the husks that the swine did eat, and no man gave unto him. This desperate state marks the lowest point of his ruin.
It is in this pit of despair that the son "came to himself." This awakening signifies true, godly sorrow leading to repentance. He contrasted his current misery with the abundance in his father's house, where even the hired servants had bread enough and to spare. His repentance was not merely regret for his circumstances, but a genuine conviction of his sin against heaven and against his father.
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
This confession, rehearsed before his return, reveals his humility and his recognition of his lost status. He was willing to forfeit his sonship for the lowest position, demonstrating a profound shift in his heart.
The Father's Unconditional Love and Lavish Restoration
The father's response to his returning son is perhaps the most moving aspect of the parable, revealing the very heart of God. While the son was "yet a great way off," his father saw him. This implies a vigilant, hopeful waiting, a longing for his son's return. The father's reaction is entirely contrary to cultural expectations:
And had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
An elder, dignified man would not run; he would wait for the son to approach, perhaps even to grovel. But this father, moved by compassion, casts aside all decorum, runs to his son, embraces him, and kisses him. This is an immediate, full, and unconditional acceptance. Before the son can even complete his rehearsed confession, the father interrupts with commands for his servants, initiating a full restoration.
The restoration is lavish and symbolic:
- The best robe: A symbol of honor and righteousness, covering his rags of sin and shame. This speaks to the new garment of Christ's righteousness imputed to believers (Isaiah 61:10).
- A ring on his hand: A sign of authority, family identity, and restored sonship. It signified his rightful place in the household, not as a servant, but as a son.
- Shoes on his feet: Slaves went barefoot; sons wore shoes. This further emphasized his restored status as a free son.
- The fatted calf: Reserved for special celebrations, signifying a feast of joy and thanksgiving.
The father's reason for this exuberant celebration encapsulates the divine joy over a repentant sinner:
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
This echoes the earlier parables in Luke 15 of the lost sheep and the lost coin, where there is "joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" (Luke 15:10).
The Elder Son: Self-Righteousness and Resentment
The narrative then shifts focus to the elder son, who represents the Pharisees and scribes—those who believed themselves righteous and resented Jesus' association with sinners. Upon returning from the field, he hears the sounds of music and dancing. When he learns of the celebration for his brother, he becomes angry and refuses to enter the house. This refusal to join the celebration for the lost being found is critical.
Again, the father, in his persistent love, goes out to entreat him. The elder son's response reveals a heart filled with bitterness, self-pity, and a legalistic spirit:
Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
His language is telling: "these many years do I serve thee," highlighting his view of their relationship as one of servitude, not sonship. He boasts of his obedience ("neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment"), yet his heart is devoid of love and joy. He begrudges his brother's return and restoration, and even disowns him, referring to him as "this thy son" rather than "my brother." His indignation stems from a lack of understanding of grace, believing that favor should be earned, not freely given. He saw himself as deserving, his brother as undeserving.
The Father's Plea: Grace Versus Legalism
The father's gentle response to the elder son is another powerful revelation of God's character. He does not rebuke the elder son's anger but appeals to him with tender reason:
Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
The father reminds the elder son of his secure position: "thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." He possessed all the privileges of sonship, but failed to appreciate them. He was present in the house, but absent in heart. The father's final words reiterate the profound joy over the restoration of the lost, emphasizing that the younger son is "this thy brother," a call to reconciliation and shared joy that the elder son tragically missed.
Enduring Lessons from the Parable
The Parable of the Two Sons, therefore, presents several vital biblical truths:
Conclusion
The Parable of the Two Sons is not simply a tale of a "prodigal" but a profound revelation of the Father's heart. It calls us to examine our own hearts: are we like the younger son, who, having wandered far, humbly returns to the Father's embrace? Or are we like the elder son, outwardly obedient but inwardly resentful, failing to grasp the radical, unmerited grace that God extends to all who come to Him in repentance? The KJV beautifully conveys this timeless message, reminding us that God is ever watchful, ever loving, and ever ready to welcome His lost children home, desiring that all should partake in the boundless joy of His kingdom.