Luke 15:11-12

The man in the story had two sons, a younger one and an older one (Luke 15:25). Therefore the younger son’s inheritance would normally have been one-third of his father’s estate since the older son would have received a double portion (Deuteronomy 21:17). However, a disposition of the father’s estate before his death probably would have yielded this son about two-ninths of the total. [Note: J. D. M. Derrett, Law in the New Testament, p. 107.] Jesus did not explain the exact terms of the settlement since they were insignificant details. However the son’s request evidently precluded any future claim on his father’s estate (Luke 15:19).

Normally the inheritance did not pass to the heirs until the death of the father. To request it prematurely was tantamount to expressing a wish that the father would die.

". . . to my knowledge, in all of Middle Eastern literature (aside from this parable) from ancient times to the present, there is no case of any son, older or younger, asking for his inheritance from a father who is still in good health." [Note: M. Bailey, p. 164.]

This father’s willingness to accommodate his younger son’s request shows that he was gracious and generous. Evidently the older son also received his inheritance at the same time (Luke 15:31), though this is not certain. The implication is that the younger son was an older teenager since men usually married about then, and this young man was apparently unmarried. [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 607.]