Luke 15:27
returned safely. More than physical well-being. He has returned to the family. This is a picture of salvation.
Luke 15:28
Just as the younger son insulted the father by demanding his inheritance and leaving (v. 12), now the older son insults his father by refusing to join the celebration.
begged. Jesus wanted the Pharisees and scribes (v. 2) to join him in celebrating the salvation of sinners (see note on v. 32).
Luke 15:29-30
slaved for you. The older son had been consumed with serving and obeying. Though one son saw his sin and believed himself only worthy to be a slave, the other son never saw his sin and never lived truly as a son, but a slave. So, the younger son was lost and outside the family but returned. Yet, the older son was lost inside the family. He refused to be part of the family reconciliation and celebration with the repentant son.
your son. The older brother is so upset he refused to identify the younger son as his brother (see 10:17).
prostitutes. Possibly as attempt to bring an accusation worthy of the death penalty in ancient Israel (Deut. 21:18-21).
Luke 15:31
Son. An affectionate affirmation of the father's love. He overlooked the harsh accusation of the older son just as he overlooked the rebellion of the younger son (v. 12).
all . . . is yours. The older son had forgotten the true nature of his relationship to his father. Rather than enjoying loving fellowship, he worked hard and believed he was owed a reward (v. 29). He didn't understand that he could have had a celebration with friends (v. 29) at any time.
Luke 15:32
proper. It is always right to celebrate the repentance of a sinner who repents and experiences God's salvation (vv. 7. 10).
brother of yours. As Jesus finished the parable, he was speaking to Pharisees and scribes who refused to rejoice at the repentance of others (v. 2). They were like the older brother. Jesus was like the father of the parable, pleading with them to join him in the kingdom where sinners repent and there is great rejoicing. He challenged them to see their own sin and seek the mercy of God who is willing to forgive.
Jesus' Teaching on Money and Service - Luke 16:1-17:10
Contrary to popular ideas of the day, Jesus warned against wealth and pride. God's blessing and salvation was not automatic for his covenant people. Instead, those in God's kingdom must be wise stewards of all his gifts and humbly serve others.
Luke 16:1
disciples. Jesus focused on a different group for the following parable (vv. 1-13; 15:3).
rich man. A picture often used in Jesus's parables (v. 19; 10:30; 12:16; 14:16; 19:12).
manager. One of the
rich man's slaves
who would have had responsibilities for overseeing the master's finances as well as the other slaves. Unlike more modern forms, slavery in the ancient world was not based on ethnicity. Though masters could be cruel, slaves were not seen as less than human. They could be well-educated, hold many responsibilities, and more easily gain their freedom.
wasting. Losses due to incompetence by the manager.
Luke 16:2
The manager was called upon to turn in his record books and give a final report before being fired.
Luke 16:4
The manager devised a scheme that would help him find support for himself after he has been fired. The master told the manager to turn in his accounts. But until that happens, he's still in control of the rich man's books. His motivation and actions (vv. 5-7) were selfish. He was working for himself, not his master.
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