Luke 15:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Instead, He reaches out to those who rebel against Him with a fatherly call: 'Turn to Me..., you children who have departed from Me, and I will turn to you' (Zechariah 1:3). It is clear that regardless of how far a sinner may wander, God continues to call those who have turned away from Him His children. He consistently remembers His creations and does not withhold His grace from them.

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Brethren, it is essential, indeed, to proclaim the incarnation of God (by which we 'live and move and exist' - Acts 17:28); however, we are particularly compelled to do this in these times, both out of shared obligation and to earn His grace for those new stars emerging from the baptismal waters. They too will shine through His humanity, and through it, we receive salvation as an inheritance from our Creator God and Father. Let us express this truth as the Sovereign Christ, the compassionate Son of the gracious Father, the only true Interpreter of the Father’s nature, has communicated. We should explore the entire parable of the prodigal son so that we may learn how to approach the inaccessible and seek His forgiveness for our sins. A certain man had two sons. The Savior introduces His point subtly, not definitively. He refers to His Father as 'a certain man' and His servants as children, illustrating the love of God for humanity. 'A certain man,' He asserts, 'had two sons.' Who does this man represent? He is 'the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort' (2 Cor. 1:3). Who are these two sons? They represent the righteous and the sinners—those who follow His divine directives and those who violate the commandments of the Master.

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Some among us who have sinned after baptism might wonder: 'What does Adam's salvation mean for us? How can we be forgiven? How can we be saved if we have broken the law post-baptism?' To such inquirers, we say: 'Do not be fearful, do not fret, do not be troubled, do not be timid, do not lose heart! God does not prioritize Adam's salvation at your expense; if He sought out Adam who had lost ten drachmas, He is even more like a merciful Father with two sons, who welcomes back into His embrace the one who has strayed. For all, He became all so that He might bring everyone to Himself.'

For I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their wicked ways and live." This same truth is also conveyed by Christ in a beautifully constructed parable, which I will now endeavor to discuss by summarizing its key points and clarifying the concepts it contains.

Some interpret the two sons as representative of the holy angels, while we, the inhabitants of the earth, are seen as the younger son, living in excess and indulgence. Others suggest that the elder son symbolizes Israel according to the flesh, while the wayward son reflects the Gentile nations. I cannot concur with these interpretations, as I wish for those who seek understanding to pursue what is true and unassailable. Accordingly, I assert: "providing opportunities for the wise and offering knowledge to the righteous," as Scripture encourages, for they will evaluate the interpretations presented to them. However, if we equate the righteous son with the holy angels, we cannot find him expressing the same words they do or sharing their perspectives towards repentant sinners who transition from an unclean life to one of virtue. For the Savior of all and Lord teaches that "in heaven the holy angels rejoice over one sinner who repents."

Who does the elder brother signify, and what accounts for his jealousy at the warm welcome extended to his sibling returning from the fields? There are additional details elaborated in the Gospel. You also mention that it is a common viewpoint that the Jewish people are seen as the elder brother, while the Gentiles are viewed as the younger. However, I question how one can depict the Jewish people in terms of, “I have labored for you for many years, I have never disobeyed your commandments, and I have never been given a kid to celebrate with my friends,” while the father responds, “Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” If we interpret this parable as representing the righteous and the sinners, it's uncharacteristic of a righteous person to resent another’s salvation, especially not that of a brother. Since death entered the world through the envy of the devil, those who emulate him align with his faction. How can such spiteful jealousy fit the nature of a righteous individual, who remains outside in obstinacy against the merciful father, unwilling to share in the household's joy? There was a man who had two sons. This man can indeed be understood as God, as various testimonies affirm. For instance, "The testimony of two men is true. I am he who bears witness of myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness of me" (John 8:17-18). Around the theme of two sons, numerous scriptural references exist that point to the calling of two nations.

If you worry that you have wronged Him, remember that He restores your dignity; if you fear punishment, He honors you with a loving kiss; and if you dread His disapproval, He celebrates you with a feast.

Now, let’s reflect on the parable more closely: A certain man had two sons, and the younger requested of his father, "Give me my portion of the estate" (Luke 15:11-12). You can see that a divine inheritance is granted to those who seek it; do not fault the father for bestowing it upon the younger son. There is no age that is unqualified for entry into the kingdom of God, and faith does not perceive the weight of years. Surely, the young man believed himself deserving of the inheritance! Alas, if he had not distanced himself from his father, he would not have sensed the inadequacy of his youth.

This heavens carries countless stars, reminding us of the fleeting nature of our earthly life and revealing the benefits of everything below us and sometimes beyond our view. For our benefit, He created the great light at the dawn and the lesser light at dusk, placing them and the stars in the firmament to provide direction, mark the seasons, and define the cycle of years; these things are unnecessary for the angelic beings above or for the mute creatures governed by mere instinct. They exist for our benefit, as we have senses and an appreciation for the beauty of creation, discerning these signs through our senses and intellect.

Before our existence, He established the earth, spread the seas, filled the air with richness, and wisely surrounded it with fire to balance the cold and preserve the heat. This illustrates that while the mute creatures share needs with humans, they were created to serve us, as expressed by Prophet David. Thus, before our creation, our Creator fashioned this entire world for the sake of our physical beings, ex nihilo. To foster good conduct and impart virtue, what has the virtuous Lord not accomplished? This material world serves as a reflection of the spiritual realm, allowing us through contemplation to ascend towards the divine. He has instilled in us an innate law—a certain unyielding norm and reliable teacher—our own conscience. If we experience turmoil in our thoughts, we need not seek additional guidance to discern goodness; when we align our thoughts with righteous intention, then, as the Apostle states, ‘the invisible things of God, from the foundation of the world, are clearly seen’ (Rom. 1:20).

Thus, having revealed the knowledge of virtue through creation, He appointed guardian angels, raised the Fathers and Prophets for direction, and manifested signs and wonders to foster faith. He bestowed the written Law, which complements the law ingrained in our rational nature and the wisdom gained from observing creation. Ultimately, after we had neglected to fulfill so much—what negligence on our part!—and conversely, what generosity and care on His part, who loves us!—He offered Himself for us, pouring out the riches of His divinity into our frailty, taking on our nature, and becoming like us, choosing to be our Teacher. He demonstrated the greatness of His humanity through both action and word, encouraging us to emulate His compassion and discouraging the lack of mercy among His listeners.

While the love of leaders, shepherds, and property owners is notable, it is not as profound as that which exists between family members, especially between fathers and their children. He highlights this love as a reflection of His humanity, calling Himself both Man and Father of us all. He became Man for our benefit, regenerating us through divine baptism and the grace of His divine Spirit. Hence, ‘A certain man,’ as He states, ‘had two sons’; the varied temperaments manifested one nature in two forms, just as the contrast between righteousness and sinfulness separates humanity into two groups. It is said that one person may exhibit duality based on differing dispositions, while we can also perceive a multitude as unified when they stand in solidarity.

Just as God grants humanity the freedom to choose, allowing individuals the power to either adhere to His commandments or follow their own paths, so does the father fulfill the unreasonable demands of the capricious younger son. He allocated his estate between his sons, providing both with all they needed for life. However, while the elder son chose to remain in the safety of his father's home and acted not according to his own desires but in accordance with his father’s wishes, the younger son, yearning for complete autonomy, gathered all his possessions and departed to a distant land. This action symbolizes humanity’s deliberate estrangement from God, a willful forgetfulness of all that might deter an individual from sin, and an unreserved embrace of their own desires and passions.

At that moment, he recalled his father and, filled with hope for mercy, resolved, “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you’” (Luke 15:18). He then set out to return to his father.

How frequently do we turn away from God, believing, due to the weight of our sins, that we are unworthy of His forgiveness! We often tell ourselves, “My sins are too numerous for God to forgive, regardless of how earnestly I pray; thus, prayer feels pointless.” In doing so, we mistakenly align our failings with God’s nature: we think that because we would struggle to forgive someone who has offended us deeply, God must be similarly unforgiving. However, a thoughtful contemplation of the parable of the Prodigal Son reveals the boundless love and mercy of God. Let us remind ourselves of this parable more frequently, and regardless of our transgressions, we should not lose hope. Acknowledge the seriousness of our sins and turn away from our sinful ways, remembering that we have a Father who mourns our absence and eagerly awaits our return to His divine truth. We should declare: “I will go to my Father!” and approach Him with confidence, trusting in His mercy.

As we lean on God's grace, let us also extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us, recalling the words of Jesus Christ: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). Our forgiveness should not be given begrudgingly but rather with joy, recognizing that those who sin against us may be on the path to repentance, much like the joy the father experienced when he welcomed back his wayward son.