What is the parable of the prodigal son — Meaning Explained
The prodigal son parable tells of a young man who squanders his inheritance in wild living, then returns home to find his father waiting with open arms — illustrating God's lavish grace toward repentant sinners.
The prodigal son parable tells of a young man who squanders his inheritance in wild living, then returns home to find his father waiting with open arms — illustrating God's lavish grace toward repentant sinners.
"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." — Luke 15:20 (KJV)
What "What is the parable of the prodigal son?" Actually Means
In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of a younger son who demands his inheritance early, travels to a far country, and wastes everything on reckless living. When a famine strikes, he ends up feeding pigs — the lowest point for a Jewish person. Coming to his senses, he decides to return home and beg to be a servant. But his father sees him from afar, runs to him, embraces him, and throws a celebration. The older brother resents this grace, representing the Pharisees who criticized Jesus for welcoming sinners. The parable beautifully illustrates repentance, God's unconditional love, and the danger of self-righteous resentment.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Luke 15:20
"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."
Luke 15:24
"For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."
Luke 15:32
"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."
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