Luke 15:1-2. THE OCCASION OF THE DISCOURSE. HOW ALL THE PUBLICANS AND SINNERS. Not all kinds, nor all without exception, but very many, so that this was the rule. WERE DRAWING NEAR. At this time were occupied in thus coming. There was an increasing throng of these classes, with one distinct purpos... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:1. TO THE DISCIPLES. To the body of the disciples, including the publicans for whom the parable had a special adaptation. That the Pharisees also heard what He said appears from Luke 15:14. A CERTAIN RICH MAN. This represents God, the Possessor of all things. To none other do men really sta... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS division of the Gospel of Luke, embracing nearly one third of the whole, contains for the most part matter peculiar to this Evangelist. A number of the incidents probably belong to an earlier period of the history. A few of these are mentioned by Matthew and Mark, though the greater number even... [ Continue Reading ]
CONNECTION. We have a single discourse, consisting mainly of parables, from chap. Luke 15:1 to chap. Luke 17:10. It was delivered during the journey from Perea to Jericho, and occasioned by the fact that the publicans and sinners now attached themselves in large numbers to our Lord. The severe remar... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:2. MURMURED, among themselves. That they did not speak thus to our Lord Himself is evident. THIS MAN. The expression does not necessarily imply contempt. RECEIVETH SINNERS. His enemies said this in reproach, but it is important evidence of a blessed truth. He received this class of peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:2. WHAT IS THIS THAT I HEAR OF THEE, _i.e.,_ explain this report. RENDER THE ACCOUNT OF THY STEWARDSHIP. No previous reckoning had been made : regular statements were then unusual. CANST NO LONGER BE STEWARD. The correctness of the report is implied. The reference is to the certainty tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:3. WHAT SHALL I DO, etc. In his uncertainty, he carefully considered the case, and this is the point in which the children of this world are so often wiser than the children of light I HAVE NOT STRENGTH TO DIG. His life of luxury had unfitted him for that. TO BEG I AM ASHAMED. Because of... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:3-7. THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP. Comp. Matthew 18:12-14, where the same parable occurs. There, however, our Lord brings out the preciousness of the one sheep (‘the little one'); here, the mercy of the shepherd in seeking and rejoicing over the one sheep.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:4. THE NINETY AND NINE IN THE WILDERNESS, _i.e.,_ in the accustomed pasture; not a desert place, as might be supposed. In Matthew the place whither the one sheep has wandered is mentioned; here the ninety and nine come into greater prominence. The shepherd evidently represents the Son of God... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:4. I AM RESOLVED, etc. The plan just strikes him. THEY _, i.e.,_ the debtors with whom he intends to deal, MAY RECEIVE INTO THEIR HOUSES. He would thus secure future shelter for himself. Further than this the verse must not be pressed (see Luke 15:9).... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:5. UPON HIS SHOULDERS. He does not punish it, nor even drive it back, but carries it, weary from wandering, while He Himself is rejoicing.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:5. EACH ONE OF HIS LORD'S DEBTORS. The debtors were scarcely tenants or contractors, but more probably men who had bought and not yet paid for certain stores belonging to the rich man. SAID TO THE FIRST. We have two examples of what happened in each case.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:6. HUNDRED MEASURES, or, ‘baths,' = the Ephah in dry measure, nearly ten gallons. TAKE THY BILL, lit, ‘writings.' The document in the steward's hands, showing the obligation. QUICKLY. The business must be done in a hurry. AND WRITE FIFTY, _i.e.,_ alter the figure. The old bond is not d... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:6. And when he cometh home. This refers to the whole process by which the ignorant and bewildered sinner is brought into safety. It does not mean, brought to heaven personally, but where there is ground for ‘joy in heaven' (Luke 15:7). His friends and his neighbors. Evidently the angels (Luk... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:7. I SAY UNTO YOU. He could tell of ‘heavenly things' on his own authority (John 3:11-12). Joy in heaven. In all such cases. The persons who rejoice are mentioned in Luke 15:10. NINETY AND NINE JUST PERSONS, RIGHTEOUS MEN, who (who are of such a kind as) HAVE NO NEED OF REPENTANCE. This is... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:7. AN HUNDRED MEASURES. The Hebrew measure (‘cor') is here spoken of, equal to ten ephahs. WRITE EIGHTY. The variation in the amount deducted is without any special meaning. Still we may find in it a proof of the steward's prudence. He knew the men with whom he had to deal and acted accord... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:8. HAVING TEN PIECES OF SILVER. The women of Nazareth still wear around the forehead and face a roll of silver coins, called ‘semedi;' to which the Saviour here alludes. The coins spoken of are _drachma,_ worth about 8 1/2 pence or 17.6 cents each, although relatively ten times as valuable t... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:8. AND HIS LORD, _i.e.,_ the lord of the steward, of course, not the Lord Jesus. THE UNJUST STEWARD, lit., ‘the steward of unrighteousness.' This phrase stamps the conduct of the steward as immoral; and in this aspect as unworthy of imitation. But the point to which prominence is given fol... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:8-10. THE PARABLE OF THE LOST PIECE OR MONEY. Peculiar to Luke.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:9. SHE CALLETH. She remains in the house ; the Spirit dwells in the church, and there the angels rejoice (see Luke 15:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:9. AND I SAY UNTO YOU. The last verse contains the commendation of one of ‘the sons of this world;' here we have a recommendation to ‘the sons of the light.' HAKE TO YOURSELVES FRIENDS OUT OF THE MAMMON. By using money with a prudence like that of the unjust steward, but under a higher mot... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:10. THERE IS JOY. Not ‘will be,' the joy takes place whenever the sinner is found by the searching of the spirit. IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD. That they share in it, is implied in the phrase: ‘Rejoice with me.' The parable seems to indicate that the angels rejoice with the Spirit... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:10. HE THAT IS FAITHFUL, etc. Lest it should seem strange that so much importance is attached to the proper use of perishing and unrighteous wealth, remember the great principle: ‘He that is faithful,' etc. THAT WHICH IS LEAST, or ‘a very little.' This refers to earthly possessions, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON. ‘The crown and pearl' of all our Lord's parables. It is an advance from the two which precede it. The case of the sinner is represented as more aggravated: his guilt greater, his wretchedness more profound. Hitherto the illustrations have been borrowed from actions p... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:11. IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON. In your use of it, _i.e.,_ ‘faithful in that which is least.' WHO WILL COMMIT TO YOUR TRUST! Such unfaithfulness proves us unfaithful in much (Luke 15:10), according to the judgment of God, who will not therefore entrust us with THE TRUE RICHES. The word ‘ric... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:12. THE YOUNGER. Thus represented, because the more light-minded, the more easily led astray. GIVE ME THE PORTION OF THY SUBSTANCE, etc. The request could not have been an unheard of one. The beginning and essence of sin are here set forth: Self-seeking, turning away from God to the creatu... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:12. IN THAT WHICH IS ANOTHER'S. Earthly wealth is held in trust; the true riches are described as YOUR OWN. Wealth can never form a part of our being, is never permanently in our possession; we can have the use of it, but in no true sense own it. But that which God gives to us as true riches... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:13. NOT MANY DAYS AFTER. The course of open sin soon began. GATHERED ALL TOGETHER. This indicates the entire surrender of all the powers and possessions to sin. INTO A FAR COUNTRY. Like the wandering sheep. The ‘far country ‘represents the outward separation from God, the breaking loose... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:13. Comp. Matthew 6:24. Since the proper use of wealth is for God, those who do not thus use it are slaves to Mammon. The last verse implies that wealth is not our own, this implies that when it is used as our own, the presumed owner not only does not own it, but himself belongs to _it._ The... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:14. AND WHEN HE HAD SPENT ALL. Probably very soon; the enjoyment of sin is brief. But it is not necessarily implied that all God's gifts are wasted before repentance. The picture of ‘misery' begins here; and the sense of destitution is emphasized. A MIGHTY FAMINE. External circumstances ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:15. JOINED HIMSELF. Attached himself, as it were by force. He makes a determined effort to help himself, as he begins to feel his want TO ONE OF THE CITIZENS OF THAT COUNTRY. Not to be directly interpreted of Satan, for the man was ‘one of the citizens.' His business is TO FEED SWINE, uncl... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:16. WOULD FAIN HAVE FILLED HIS BELLY. Many ancient authorities read: ‘would fain have been filled,' and this may be the correct reading, but does not alter the sense. The literal translation of the E. V. corresponds with the coarse craving of his hunger. WITH THE HUSKS, _Greek:_ ‘pods of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:17. CAME TO HIMSELF. This implies that he had been _beside himself before._ A life of sin is in a certain sense irrational. The free will of the sinner is brought out, as it could not be in the two other parables. The seeking and saving, though necessary to make the prodigal come to himself,... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:18. I WILL ARISE. Correct reflection led to remembrance of the father, that feeling led to resolve and corresponding action. The will is turned: he _proposes_ to leave the far country. I HAVE SINNED. There can be no return to God which does not include the confession of sin. AGAINST HEAV... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:19. I AM NO MORE WORTHY, etc. Genuine penitence! MAKE ME AS ONE, etc. He does not give up his sonship, but asks only the treatment given to a hireling, for he does not even deserve that. Some explain that he wished by fidelity in that position to prove himself again worthy ; but the parabl... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:20. AND HE AROSE, etc. The action corresponds to the resolve, in the parable, but not always in reality. This is the last scene; the _return._ A GREAT WAY OFF. The father seems to have expected him; God certainly expects the penitent sinner. HIS FATHER SAW HIM, etc. Graphic and true to n... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:21. FATHER, etc. The purposed confession is made, but the conclusion is omitted. ‘The terms are the same, “I have sinned”; but how different is the accent! Luther felt it profoundly: the discovery of the difference between the repentance of fear and that of love was the true principle of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:22. BUT THE FATHER. The father's acts respond ; but not according to the worthiness of the son. BRING FORTH QUICKLY. ‘Quickly,' omitted in the E. V., is suggestive. THE BEST ROBE. The upper garment of the higher classes among the Jews. (Mark 12:38.) A comparison with Isaiah 61:10; Revela... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:23. THE FATTED CALF. Some calf standing in the stall, probably in readiness for a feast, is to be killed, as the _best,_ for this sudden festivity. There is no allusion to any sacrifice. MAKE MERRY. The ‘joy in heaven' (Luke 15:6) is again alluded to; the parties feasting are ‘the servants... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:24. WAS DEAD, AND IS ALIVE AGAIN. Even in the parable, the father speaks figuratively of moral death ; much more in the application is it true; the state of sin is a moral death, the state of salvation a moral resurrection. WAS LOST, AND IS FOUND. This expresses the relation to the father.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:25. NOW HIS ELDER SON WAS IN THE FIELD. ‘The elder son at the return of the younger brother is not in the house, but has spent the day in hard, self-chosen, slavish service, and now first returns home at evening, when the feast was already in progress' (Van Oosterzee). MUSIC AND DANCING. U... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:25-32. THE ELDER SON. The other side of the picture is equally appropriate to the occasion. The murmuring Pharisees are now to see themselves portrayed. Alford: ‘This part of the parable sets forth the reception he meets with from his fellow-men in contrast to that from his father.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:26. ONE OF THE SERVANTS. Not the same word as in Luke 15:22; probably an inferior domestic in the permanent employ of the householder, but now standing without. WHAT THESE THINGS MIGHT BE. Offended that this should take place without his knowledge; jealous of the joy in which he would not... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:27. THY BROTHER IS COME. The servant states the case as it impresses him. He says nothing of the condition in which the prodigal returned, but simply that the father had RECEIVED HIM SAFE AND SOUND. No special interpretation is to be put upon this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:28. BUT HE WAS ANGRY. The occasion of the anger was the answer given by the servant; the reason of the anger is found in Luke 15:29-30. CAME OUT AND ENTREATED HIM. The father left the feast of joy to kindly urge the elder brother. This represents the long-suffering of God toward the self-r... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:29. LO, FOR SO MANY YEARS DO I SERVE THEE. The legal idea comes out here, pleading what has been done. I NEVER TRANSGRESSED A COMMANDMENT OF THINE. The Pharisees virtually said this. The words of the elder son prove that his obedience in the past had not been hearty, and that he was now in... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:30. WHEN THIS THY SON CAME. He will not say ‘brother.' In expressing contempt of his brother the greatest sin against his father is uttered; so Pharisees sin most heinously against God in their feelings and acts towards their fellow-men. DEVOURED THY LIVING. There is a reproach of the fath... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:31. SON. Still affectionate God has forbearing kindness toward the self-righteous and uncharitable. THOU ART EVER WITH ME. No occasion for extraordinary joy had arisen in his case. ALL THAT IS MINE IS THINE. Only the portion of the elder son remained in the father's hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 15:32. IT WAS MEET TO MAKE MERRY, etc. The form is general, giving justification for the joy, and yet leaving it to the choice of the elder son whether he will share in it. The elder son represents the Pharisees, and puts forward their claims. These are not directly contradicted in the parable... [ Continue Reading ]