Tyndale Open Study NotesLuke 15

Chapter 15 contains three related parables of things lost and found:

• a sheep (15:1–7),

• a coin (15:8–10), and

• a son (15:11–32).

The loss of something loved causes deep sorrow, whereas finding it brings great joy. There is great rejoicing in heaven when lost sinners return to their heavenly Father.

People greatly disliked tax collectors because they worked for the hated Roman authorities. The tax collectors had a reputation for not being honest.

In their self-righteous hard-heartedness, the Pharisees and teachers of religious law did not care about lost people. Jesus embodied the heart of God, who longs for his wayward children to return.

• A flock of a hundred sheep was of average size for a shepherd of modest means. God’s people are often identified as the Lord’s flock (Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 13:17; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 10:3).

• leave the ninety-nine: Other shepherds could watch the ninety-nine, so those left behind were not in danger. The shepherd would do anything to find the one that was lost.

• Ten silver coins: These coins might have been part of the woman’s dowry. A dowry was money or property given to a husband by the bride's family.

• light a lamp, sweep her house: Homes in Palestine were usually dimly lit and often had dirt or stone floors. Because of this, finding a small coin could be difficult.

Like the previous two parables (15:3–7, 8–10), the parable of the lost son demonstrates God’s love for the lost and the joy God experiences when they return. It also reflects the ministry of Jesus. The father represents God, the younger son represents the tax collectors and sinners Jesus welcomed, and the older son represents the religious leaders.

give me my share of the estate: At this time, this shocking request would basically mean, “To me, you are dead.” He could not say anything more insulting to his father.

he squandered his wealth in wild living: In Jewish culture, losing family property to Gentiles in a distant land was considered especially shameful. In some cases, it could even lead to exclusion from the community (see also Deuteronomy 21:18–21).

Pigs were ceremonially unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8). So this was the most shameful job a Jew could have.

• his father saw him: The father was watching the road, hoping his son would return.

• He ran to his son: Since running was not appropriate for the leader of the family, this expressed how happy the father was that his son came back.

The son delivered the speech he had practiced. Some early Greek manuscripts add Please take me on as a hired servant. The absence of this sentence in the majority of the manuscripts suggests his father interrupted him before he could finish what he wanted to say.

• The best robe belonged to the father. It affirmed the son’s role as an heir and a beloved member of the household.

• Put a ring on his finger: A ring was a symbol of authority. Like the robe, it indicated his status as son and heir.

The father had been preparing a calf for a feast. He welcomed his son with the kind of honor shown to an important guest.

The older brother was angry that his father would forgive such a sinner when he, the faithful son, had worked hard to achieve his position. Like the religious leaders, he refused to rejoice when his brother was found.

this son of yours: He refused to acknowledge his own relationship to his brother.

you are always with me: The parable ends without telling us how the older brother responded. In the same way, the religious leaders still had a chance to respond to the offer of the kingdom.