The Parable of the Two Sons and the Portion of Goods (The Prodigal Son)

1. The Big Picture

   • Bible passages; Luk 15:11-32

   • Luk 15:11-32  And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12  And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living. 13  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. 14  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22  But 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: 23  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: 24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25  Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26  And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27  And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28  And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29  And he answering said to [his] father, 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: 30  But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31  And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32  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. 

2. The Father

   • Represents the Heavenly Father

   • He is wealthy.

   • He has two grown sons.​

   • He has servants.

   • He is a keeper of livestock.​

   • He shows mercy instead of judgement to the younger son at his return.

3. The First Son

   • Stays home.

   • Works in the fields.

   • Represents either the Jews or the children of Heaven.

   • Will inherit all that the father has; outside of the substance given to the two sons earlier in the story.

   • Is in danger of losing everything due to his hard heart.

   • Will not come in until his father deals justly with the younger son.

4. ​​The Second Son ​​

    

   • Part 1 The  Fathers House.

     • He is eager to go out.

     • He lacks the means to leave.

     • He asks his father for the portion of goods that he is to inherit.

     • Shortly after receiving the portion, he leaves home.

   • Part 2 The Far Country.​

     • He journeys to a far country.

     • He wastes his living.

     • He is not prepared for the famine that arises in the land.

     • The famine causes the younger son to fall into want.

     • He joins himself to a citizen of the country to fill the want.

     • He is put to work feeding swine in the field.

     • His situation is so dire, he considers eating the husks meant for the swine.

     • No man gave unto him.

     • He comes to his senses.

     • He leaves for home.

   • Part 3 The Return Home​

     • His father has been keeping watch for his return and spots the son "a great way off".​

     • He repents and apologizes to his Father.

     • His Father kisses him and puts him in a position of honor and throws a feast.

     • This offends the older brother who refuses to come in.

     • The father goes out to the older son to beseech and admonish him, hoping to restore his brotherly love.

     • We are not told what happens with the older brother.

5. The Servants

   • Represents angels (from other parables).

   • They have no lack.

6. The Home

   • Represents Heaven.​

7. The Father's Substance​​

   • The inheritance.

   • The younger son wanted his portion of the inheritance early.

   • The father also gave the elder son his portion of the inheritance at this time.

   • Represents eternal life.

8. The Journey​​

   • Represents leaving Heaven.

   • It takes him far from home.

9. The Far Country​

   • The Earth.

   • The place to go for riotous living.

   • Filled with sin and sinners.

10. The Field​

    • Outside the walls.

    • The Earth.

    • The place where work is done.

    • In between and around the countries.

    • The older son appears to labor here, this is in the same region as the father's home.​

    • The younger son also labors here, he is sent here to feed swine. This is in the region of the far country.

11. The Great Famine​

    • The true nature of the far country.

12. The Citizen​

    • He seems to be a paradox to the father.​

    • He is a keeper of swine.

    • He hires the younger son.

    • He does not provide enough for the younger son to survive.