Luke 15:1
PUBLICANS AND SINNERS - See the notes at Matthew 9:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
PUBLICANS AND SINNERS - See the notes at Matthew 9:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
MURMURED - They affected to suppose that if Jesus treated sinners kindly he must be fond of their society, and be a man of similar character. “They” considered it disgraceful to be with them or to eat with them, and they, therefore, brought a charge against him for it. They “would” not suppose that... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS PARABLE - See the notes at Matthew 13:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
See the notes at Matthew 18:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEWISE JOY ... - It is a principle of human nature that the “recovery” of an object in danger of being lost, affords much more intense joy than the quiet “possession” of many that are safe. This our Saviour illustrated by the case of the lost sheep and of the piece of silver. It might also be illu... [ Continue Reading ]
TEN PIECES OF SILVER - In the original, ten “drachmas.” The drachma was about the value of fifteen cents, and consequently the whole sum was about a dollar and a half, or six shillings. The sum was small, but it was all she had. The loss of one piece, therefore, was severely felt. THERE IS JOY IN T... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID - Jesus, to illustrate still farther the sentiment which he had uttered, and to show that it was proper to rejoice over repenting sinners, proceeds to show it by a most beautiful and instructive parable. We shall see its beauty and propriety by remembering that the “design” of it was sim... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE YOUNGER OF THEM SAID - By this younger son we are to understand the publicans and sinners to be represented. By the older, the Pharisees and scribes. GIVE ME THE PORTION - The part. OF GOODS - Of property. THAT FALLETH TO ME - That is properly my share. There is no impropriety in supposin... [ Continue Reading ]
GATHERED ALL TOGETHER - Collected his property. If he had received flocks or grain, he sold them and converted them into money. As soon as this arrangement had been made he left his father’s house. TOOK HIS JOURNEY - Went, or traveled. INTO A FAR COUNTRY - A country far off from his father’s house... [ Continue Reading ]
A MIGHTY FAMINE - Famines were common in Eastern nations. They were caused by the failure of the crops - by a want of timely rains, a genial sun, or sometimes by the prevalence of the plague or of the pestilence, which swept off numbers of the inhabitants. In this case it is very naturally connected... [ Continue Reading ]
JOINED HIMSELF - Entered the service of that citizen. Hired himself out to him. It would seem that he engaged to do any kind of work, even of the lowest kind. A CITIZEN - One of the inhabitants of one of the cities or towns of that region, probably a man of property. INTO THE FIELDS - Out of the c... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WOULD FAIN - He would gladly. He desired to do it. THE HUSKS - The word “husks” with us denotes the outward covering of grain. In this there is little nourishment, and it is evident that this is not intended here; but the word used here denotes not only “husks,” but also leguminous plants, as bea... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CAME TO HIMSELF - This is a very expressive phrase. It is commonly applied to one who has been “deranged,” and when he recovers we say he has “come to himself.” In this place it denotes that the folly of the young man was a kind of derangement - that he was insane. So it is of every sinner. Madne... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL ARISE - This is a common expression among the Hebrews to denote “entering on a piece of business.” It does not imply that he was “sitting,” but that he meant immediately to return. This should be the feeling of every sinner who is conscious of his guilt and danger. TO MY FATHER - To his fath... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MORE WORTHY ... - “Such has been my conduct that I have been a disgrace to my father. I am not fit to be honored by being called the son of a man so kind and virtuous.” MAKE ME AS ONE ... - “Treat me as a servant. Let me come again into your family, but I do not ask to be treated as a son. I am... [ Continue Reading ]
HE AROSE, AND CAME - Was coming. But here is no indication of “haste.” He did not “run,” but came driven by his wants, and, as we may suppose, filled with shame, and even with some doubts whether his father would receive him. A GREAT WAY OFF - This is a beautiful description - the image of his fath... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEST ROBE - The son was probably in rags. The joy of the father is expressed by clothing him in the best raiment, that he might appear well. The “robe” here mentioned is probably the outer garment; and the father told them to put on him the best one that was in the house - one reserved for festi... [ Continue Reading ]
BE MERRY - Literally, “eating, let us rejoice.” The word “merry” does not quite express the meaning of the Greek. “Merriment” denotes a light, playful, jovial mirth. The Greek denotes simply “joy - let us be happy, or joyful.”... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS DEAD - This is capable of two significations: * “I supposed” that he was dead, but I know now that he is alive. * He was “dead to virtue” - he was sunk in pleasure and vice. The word is not unfrequently thus used. See 1 Timothy 5:6; Matthew 8:22; Romans 6:13. Hence, to be restored to “virt... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE FIELD - At work. This eldest son is designed to represent the Pharisees who had found fault with the Saviour. Their conduct is likened to that of this envious and unnatural brother. MUSIC AND DANCING - Dancing was not uncommon among the Hebrews, and was used on various occasions. Thus Miriam... [ Continue Reading ]
SAFE AND SOUND - In health.... [ Continue Reading ]
A KID - A young goat. This was of less value than the calf; and he complains that while his father had never given “him” a thing of so little value as “a kid,” he had now given his other son the “fatted calf.” MAKE MERRY WITH - Entertain them give them a feast. This complaint was unreasonable, for... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS THY SON - This son of “thine.” This is an expression of great contempt. He did not call him “his brother,” but “his father’s son,” to show at once his contempt for his younger brother, and for his father for having received him as he did. Never was there a more striking instance of petty malice... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL I HAVE IS THINE - The property was divided. What remained was in reality the older son’s. He was heir to it all, and had a right, if he chose, to use it. He had, therefore, no right to complain. This instructive and beautiful parable was designed to vindicate the conduct of Jesus to show that it... [ Continue Reading ]