What Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son — Meaning Explained

Luke 15:11-32 records this beloved parable. A younger son demanded his inheritance, left home, and 'wasted his substance with riotous living' (v.13). When famine struck and he was feeding pigs, 'he came to himself' and decided to return as a servant (v.17-19). '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' (v.20). The father gave him the best robe, a ring, shoes, and threw a feast: 'This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found' (v.24). The older brother resented the celebration, but the father said, 'It was meet that we should make merry' (v.32). The parable reveals God's heart: He watches for returning sinners, runs to meet them, restores them completely, and celebrates their return. It also challenges self-righteous attitudes represented by the older brother. Every person is either the prodigal who needs to come home, or the elder brother who needs to embrace grace.