Luke 15:23-24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 15:11-32

We have here the parable of the prodigal son, the scope of which is the same with those before, to show how pleasing to God the conversion of sinners is, of great sinners, and how ready he is to receive and entertain such, upon their repentance; but the circumstances of the parable do much more largely and fully set forth the riches of gospel grace than those did, and it has been, and will be while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, both to direct and to encourage them in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 15:11-32

15:11-32 Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the part of the estate which falls to me.' So his father divided his living between them. Not many days after, the son realized it all and went away to a far country, and there in wanton recklessness scattered his substance. When he had spent everything a mighty famine arose throughout that country and he began to be in want. He went and attached himself to a citizen of that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:23

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it,.... By which Christ is designed, in allusion to the calves offered in sacrifice, which were offered for sin offerings, and for peace offerings, and for burnt offerings; and were one of the sacrifices on the day of atonement: so Christ has offered up himself in soul and body, freely and voluntarily, in the room and stead of his people, an offering and sacrifice to God, of a sweet smelling savour; which is well pleasing to him, and effectual to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:24

For this my son was dead ,.... These words contain the reasons of the above entertainment, and of all that spiritual joy and mirth; in which the father acknowledges the returning penitent as his son; though he had behaved so wickedly before, and though he judged himself unworthy of the relation; and this he did, by sending the Spirit of adoption into his heart, to witness his sonship to him; and takes notice of his past state and condition, to show the great reason there was for joy, at his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:23

The fatted calf, and kill it - Θυσατε , Sacrifice it. In ancient times the animals provided for public feasts were first sacrificed to God. The blood of the beast being poured out before God, by way of atonement for sin, the flesh was considered as consecrated, and the guests were considered as feeding on Divine food. This custom is observed among the Asiatics to this day. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:24

Was dead - Lost to all good - given up to all evil. In this figurative sense the word is used by the best Greek writers. See many examples in Kypke. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:1-32

The Lord speaks his three parable-stories of the "lost," in which he explains his reason for loving and receiving the sinful. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:11-32

The parable of the prodigal son. This parable is at once a history, a poem, and a prophecy, A history of man in innocence, in sin, in redemption, in glory. A poem—the song of salvation, whose refrain, "My son was dead, and is alive again, was lost, and is found," is ringing through the courts of the Zion of God. A prophecy, speaking most directly and solemnly, in warning and meditation, emphasis of reproof or of encouragement, to each of us. It is beyond the reach of the scalpel of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:11-32

"From home, and back." The two previous parables which our Lord related in defence of his conduct are really but introductory to what has been with justice called "the pearl of parables," that of the prodigal son. To it we will now devote ourselves, under the title recently given to it as "From home, and back." It brings out in a most interesting way the attitude of God the Father towards lost souls. It is necessary before setting out, however, to notice that, according to the ancient Law,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:20-24

The welcome home. Having seen the younger son of this parable dissatisfied with his estate, having followed him into the far country of sin, having seen how there he frittered or flung everything away in his guilty folly and was reduced to utmost want and degradation, and having been with him in the hour of self-return and wise resolve, we now attend him on his way home to his father. We look at— I. THE WISDOM OF IMMEDIATE ACTION . "He said, I will arise … and he arose. " ... read more

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