S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is found in Luke chapter 15, verses 11-32. The main character in the parable, the forgiving father, whose character remains constant throughout the story, is a pictu...

Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.

July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Thomas K M Supporter A retired Defence Scientist from Indian Defence R&D Orgn.

Out of all the Parables Jesus narrated, the parable on Prodigal son is so fascinating and gives us a learning experience in our life. Let us consider again the wonderful parable of the prodigal son which will narrate truths about our great salvation. 

When the son was in "the far country," feeding the hogs, he thought of how his father's servants had plenty of food. He determined to return to his father and to say to him,"Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Let me be as one of your servants." 

When the son returned, the father fell upon his neck and covered him with kisses. At that moment the son knew that he was forgiven and accepted, just as he was. But the father did not leave his son in his rags and dirt. He made him suitable to himself. The father said to his servants,"Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet." (Luke 15:22). Here the father and son relationship had never broken but only the fellowship, when the son departed from the father. 

In the same way, our relationship has not been broken, only the fellowship due to adamic sin. But that broken relationship was restored by Jesus Christ when He became the propitiation of our sin. When we come to God as a repenting sinner, God forgives us and accepts us, just as we are in our "rags and dirt.“ But God does not leaves us that way. He makes us suitable to Himself. 

The ring in Scripture signifies honor and authority. When the children of Israel were in Egypt, Pharaoh had a dream which greatly troubled him. None of Pharaoh's wise men could tell him the meaning of his dream, but Joseph, a Hebrew slave, revealed to Pharaoh the meaning.
Joseph told Pharaoh that God had revealed the meaning of the dream to him. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph, that he took off his ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand. This meant that he was giving Joseph his authority. Joseph was put in charge, under Pharaoh, of everything in Egypt. 

We are the sons of God and God has given us "the ring.“ When Pharaoh gave this ring to Joseph it was as much as to say, "You are to represent me.“ God has chosen us to be His representatives in this world. Think of the honour that has been bestowed on us— being chosen by God to represent Him!

June 24 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

The parable of the prodigal son is the third part of a three-part parable by the Lord - the lost sheep, the lost silver coin, and the lost son. It is like a triptych, three paintings hinged together all portraying a single unified message.

Most commentators assume it is about eternal salvation, but it is not. It is about restoration. Of the one hundred sheep the shepherd had, one was lost but was restored. Of the ten coins the woman had, one was lost but was found. Of the two sons the father had, one was lost but was welcomed back. They were lost in the sense of being outside of the unit they belong to but brought back to safety and security. Each lost entity pictures a departure from fellowship, as the sheep lost in distance and danger, the coin lost in darkness and detection, and the son lost in debauchery and dissipation. These picture those who needed restoration to fellowship. 

However, restoration is not the key thought either. Jesus intended another message. The ministry of the Lord had attracted tax collectors and sinners who desired to hear Him. The Pharisees and scribes complained that Jesus was receiving sinners and that He even had the audacity to dine with them. This attitude led Jesus to respond, speaking directly to them, Luke 15:3. So what was the purpose of the parables?

In the three parts, Jesus had the Pharisees and scribes imagine themselves in the roles he presented. While doing so, they were forced to realize they were not fulfilling their roles as shepherds or owners as depicted in the first two parts of the parable. 

Then, in the third section of the parable, He has them assume the role as father of two sons. The wretched story is given of the wayward son who wasted everything in riotous living and was brought to great humiliation. 

It is evident that the younger prodigal son represents the sinner, and the elder son represents the Pharisees and scribes. But there is more that Jesus intended to convey. The main character is not the prodigal son in the depths of sin, but the father who lovingly restores the son.

In this powerful illustration, the Lord contrasted the loving Father in heaven who cares for His children with the leaders who failed by neglecting the children. The Father sees them a great way off, but the Pharisees and scribes do not care. With their critical spirit, they have failed to be true father figures for their people and have not restored the lost sons to fellowship. There is no rejoicing in heaven because they do not recover anyone to repentance.

As Jesus gave the parable, they should have realized that they as leaders were unable to care for those under their care and had failed to do so. 

Also, if they had been listening, they would have realized that Jesus is that good shepherd, the responsible owner, and the One representing the loving Father.

November 20 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son?

Some aspects of the illustration of the prodigal son (also known as "the lost son") are unique. It is one of the longest that Jesus gave. An outstanding feature is the family relationships he describes.

In this illustration, Jesus highlights the intimate relationship between a father and his sons. Many who hear this account may not have had such a kind, warmhearted Father. 

But this illustration portrays the deep compassion and love that our loving heavenly Father has for his earthly children, both those who remain with him and those who return to him after going astray.

Together, the Parable of the Prodigal Son paints a vivid picture of how God relates to people who wander, people who stay, and people who struggle to understand grace. 

At its heart, it shows a Father whose love is steady even when His children are not. The younger son's story reveals how easily a person can chase independence, waste what they have been given, and end up empty. 

His return home is not heroic—it is desperate. Yet the Father meets him with compassion, restoring him before he can finish his apology. This is the shock of the story: God does not wait for people to fix themselves before welcoming them back. 

The older son adds another layer. He represents those who do everything "right" yet quietly carry resentment. His frustration exposes a different kind of lostness—one rooted in pride and a belief that love must be earned. 

The Father's response to him is gentle, reminding him that closeness to God is not a reward for performance but a relationship freely offered. 

Together, the two sons show that people can be far from God in very different ways: through rebellion or through self‑righteousness. The Father's actions—waiting, running, embracing, and celebrating—reveal a God who initiates reconciliation rather than withholding it. His joy at the younger son's return shows that restoration is not grudging but overflowing. 

The parable also highlights the cost of leaving home. The younger son's hunger, humiliation, and loneliness illustrate the emptiness of life lived apart from God. Yet his decision to return marks the beginning of healing. Repentance in this story is not a complicated ritual; it is simply turning back toward the one who loves without conditions. 

Ultimately, the meaning of the parable is this: God's heart is open to every kind of wanderer. No distance is too great, no failure too deep, and no bitterness too entrenched for His grace to reach. 

The Father's welcome is meant to reshape how people see themselves and how they treat others. It invites anyone listening to step out of shame, pride, or fear and into a relationship defined by mercy. 

Summarising the whole account:

The parable shows a father who welcomes his wandering son home with joy and meets his bitterness‑filled older son with patience. One child runs away and loses everything; the other stays but carries pride, yet both are invited into the same love. 

Jesus uses their stories to reveal a God who restores without hesitation and gently confronts hearts that resist grace. It is a picture of mercy that reaches rebels and rule‑keepers alike, calling each person back into a relationship shaped by compassion rather than performance.

6 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report