Luke 15

Chap. XV. ver. 2. — the Pharisees and scribes murmured, &c.] It appears that the Pharisees and scribes deemed publicans, gross sinners, and heathens, unfit to be conversed with, even if it were for the purpose of reforming them from their evil courses, as they thought that God had cast off all care of them, and had no design of granting them repentance unto life. Dr. Whitby.

— which need no repentance.] It is certain that there are no persons in the world, who, in the strict sense of the word, need no repentance; for there never was a person, besides our Saviour, who did righteousness, and sinned not. It should be observed therefore,

Luke 15:3

3. And he spake this parable] Our Lord proceeds to vindicate His conduct in this particular, by the two following parables. The design of which is to shew, that the conversion of sinners is highly acceptable to God, and therefore that the embracing of every opportunity for effecting this important purpose ought not to be displeasing to men. Dean Stanhope.

Luke 15:6

6. — for I have found my sheep which was lost.] As men are more sensibly affected with joy on the recovery of any possession which had been lost, than in the continued enjoyment of what is incomparably more valuable; therefore the Scripture makes use of this comparison to give comfort and encouragement to sinners, who, however vile in their own eyes, may be sure of reconciliation and favour with God on true repentance. Bp. Mann.

Luke 15:7

7. — likewise joy shall be in heaven &c.] See note at Matt. xviii. 13. This expression is not to be understood too rigorously, but as spoken after the manner of men. Sickness, pain, and danger, give a more lively relish for safety, ease, and health. The surprise of an escape which we did not expect, and the regaining of a treasure which we supposed to be lost, are entertained with transport and rapture; because they seem to make a new accession to our fortunes. And such, in the sight of

The parable of the piece of silver : of the prodigal son. Anno DOMINI 33.

Luke 15:11

11. — A certain man had two sons.] This parable of the prodigal son is remarkably beautiful, even in the letter of it, for the variety of its incidents, and the affecting manner in which they are related. Bp. Horne. In this parable the elder son represents the Jews, who murmured and were angry that the Gentiles, who before were far off from God, Ephes. ii. 13, were under the Christian covenant brought nigh unto Him, and made partakers of the same privileges with themselves. The younger son represents the Gentiles, who depraved by gross idolatries, the knowledge they had received from tradition of the true God, serving them which by nature were no Gods, and giving themselves to all uncleanness; but now had through Christ access unto the Father, being adorned with the garment of faith and the robe of righteousness, and invited to become partakers of the banquet prepared for all. Dr. Whitby.

In this parable, as in some others, our Lord vails the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven with a certain degree of present obscurity. The prodigal son represents not only a repenting individual, but the Gentile world converted and reconciled to God. They had long strayed from their heavenly Father, and wasted what He had distributed to them, reason, conscience, and the primitive religion of mankind, by spiritual fornication and sensual impurities; but at length would come to themselves, be humbled before Him, pardoned by Him, and restored to the same degree of favour as the elder brother, the Israelite. This was an event, the notion of which that elder brother (representing the Jewish nation) was then too much blinded with prejudice to endure. It was therefore valued in a parable, but in a parable of immediate use and edification. Though in the book of grace, as in the book of nature, are treasures of wisdom imperfectly known till the appointed time of disclosing them; yet enough of both is plain and legible at sight, to declare the glory of the great Author: as in this parable His goodness and mercy to sinful man are openly proclaimed, as well as mystically predicted. Dr. Townson.

Luke 15:15

15. — to feed swine.] An employment which must, The parable of the prodigal son. Anno DOMINI 22.

Luke 15:16

16. And he would fain have filled &c.] He is represented as receiving from his employers so scanty a payment, that, in the time of famine, it would not provide him with food. Dr. Macknight.

— with the husks] The word in the original seems to mean the pod or fruit of the carob tree, which in southern countries is still used for the feeding of swine, and is eaten by the poorer sort of people. It is called St. John’s bread, from the opinion that the Baptist used it in the wilderness. Dr. Campbell. “And no man gave unto him.” He had fallen so low that even this miserable supply was refused to his necessity.

Luke 15:17

17. — when he came to himself.] It was when he was ready to perish with hunger that he came to himself. So, when men approach the goal of life, they will think of their ways with sufficient trouble and vexation: and how glad would they then be if they had time to consider and reform them. But, too probably, while they are wishing for more time, eternity will swallow them up. Abp. Tillotson. A sense of sin is the beginning of repentance, and a sense of misery begets a sense of sin. Bp. Horne.

Luke 15:18

18. I will arise and go to my father, &c.] This beautiful parable sets before us a lively image of a sinner; first, in his wilful and ungrateful degeneracy and revolt from God, his Father both by creation and preservation, in departing from his known duty to comply with his vicious affections; then, in the disappointment and dissatisfaction which he found in his evil courses, and in the treachery of a deceitful and wicked world; thirdly, in the strong conviction of his faults and follies, which struck him to the heart on sober consideration; and lastly, in the resolution he takes up to delay his repentance and his return no longer, to arise instantly and go to his Father, and humble himself before Him. Dr. Jortin.

— and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned, &c.] It is most necessary indeed for every offender against God to perform the good resolution here set by the returning prodigal. The sooner this is done the better, and God has promised to concur with us in the under-

Luke 15:22

22. — a ring on his hand.] A peculiar mark of distinction. See Gen. xli. 42. Grotius.

Luke 15:25

25. — he heard musick and dancing.] It is still the custom in the East, on occasions of great rejoicing, to hire not only bands of musick, but also bands of dancers, as a token of joy, and for the entertainment of those present. Fragments to Calmet.

Luke 15:28

28. And he was angry, &c.] This is a striking image P Anno DOMINI 22. The parable of the unjust steward. Anno DOMINI 23.

Luke 15:30

30. — his father — had compassion, &c.] What shall we say of the tenderness and compassion of God towards penitent sinners? It cannot be set forth more pathetically and affectionately than in this parable. On the one hand, we have the description of a graveless youth, unthankful, stubborn, disobedient, wilful, who had no cause for complaint, and would have had none to blame but himself, if he had been left to perish. But, as soon as he repented, and turned his face homewards, we see, on the other hand, the affectionate father, who could not contain himself so much as to stay at home, and wait there for his son’s submission; but, while he was yet afar off, ran to meet him, and fell upon his neck, and kissed him. What conceptions ought we to have of God’s compassion to penitent sinners answerable to this description! Dr. Jortin.

Here let all sinners, and sinners we all are, behold the lovingkindness of our heavenly Father, to those who truly repent and turn to Him, as it was displayed towards the Gentiles on their conversion. The bowels of His mercy yearned towards them in their lost estate; and He longed for their return, as a father for that of his child gone from him. Bp. Horne.

Luke 15:31

31. — Son, thou art ever with me,] He tells him that he was sensible of his constant duty and obedience, which were most acceptable to him, and which could not lose their reward: but the return of his other son, after he had given over all hopes of him, and looked upon his case as desperate, was indeed a marvellous surprise, and a happiness beyond expectation, and therefore a most natural cause of joy and gladness, on which it was very meet to make merry and be glad. Abp. Tillotson.

It were a great mistake to suppose that a constant obedience is not to be preferred even to the most sincere and active repentance, and that God will more love and reward the latter than the former. The contrary to this is clearly implied in the parable; “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” The father, who rejoiced so greatly at the return of the prodigal, yet in his sedate judgment makes a wide difference between the penitent and the innocent son. The greater the obedience, the greater will be the reward with God; the more has been done and suffered for the sake of God, the more honour will be the consequence. The penitent son will then find rest and peace to his soul, and receive his reward, but not a reward equal to that of the son who never departed from his father. Dr. Jortin.

Luke 15:32

32. — [for this thy brother] The elder son had spoken of his brother to the father in the angry language of “this thy son,” at ver. 30; the father here endeavours to raise the most tender sensations in him, by changing it into “this thy brother.” Abp. Newcome.

— was dead,] Was as if he had been dead. So Scripture represents one who was desperately engaged in a wicked course. Dr. Hammond.

covetous Pharisees. 19 The rich glutton, and Lazarus the beggar. Anno DOMINI 23.

AND he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Luke 15:34

34. — if the salt have lost his savour,] See notes at Matt. v. 13. As salt, when it has lost its savour, becomes of no use, so the Christian professor, who lives not according to the precepts of the Gospel, can do no good to himself or to others. Dr. Whitby.