Luke 15:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, to protect the vulnerable foot from being harmed by the serpent's deadly bite, and to ensure that one freed from sin does not fall back into its poison, the repentant individual is equipped with shoes for safety. Without shoes, one would be unable to tread upon serpents and scorpions and triumph over all powers of the enemy (Luke 10:19). With this protection against the serpent's bite, Paul reminds us today, "I fear lest, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3).

In reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son, the act of repentance, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and the criminal, we see that the father addressed his servants, which refers to the priests and ministers of His will. He commanded them to bring the finest robe, fashioned from above, renewed by the spirit's fire, woven in the waters of baptism. Clothe the one who has been stripped, clothe the new Adam, the one whom the adversary laid bare, clothe the king of creation; adorn him for whom I have adorned the world. It is unbearable for me to see him without grace, to witness my image being left unclothed; his disgrace feels like my own. I equate my honor with his.

"Place a ring on his finger, so that he may bear the sign of the Spirit, and through it be safeguarded by the Spirit; may the mark of my ownership cause all foes and adversaries to tremble, revealing to all the lineage of this son." Additionally, provide him shoes for his feet, so that the serpent does not find them unprotected and inflict harm upon him, but rather that he treads upon the serpent's head, vanquishing the foe, and walks securely along God's path.

The Father places upon you the yoke of grace, binding your heart with the truth, ending enmity through His brow as He instructs His servants, the priests, to "bring forth the first garment." He did not simply say to "carry the garment," but rather to "bear the first garment," emphasizing that the initial dignity of baptism is conferred upon you. "Bring him the first robe," “and clothe him, and give him a ring,” symbolizing abundance, treasure’s safeguard, grace’s assurance, and the Spirit’s seal. "And shoes upon his feet," meaning, "bind the feet of his soul with the gospel's word," preventing the serpent from leading him back into prior sins.

He also places a ring on his hand, which symbolizes the seal of Christianity conferred through our deeds. The hand signifies action, while the ring represents authenticity. Thus, one who is baptized and has turned away from sin must bear on his hand, or in all his endeavors, the seal and mark of a Christian, demonstrating how he has been restored in the likeness of his Creator. Alternatively, 'ring' might denote the pledge of the Holy Spirit. In essence, God grants us the most complete blessings in due time; however, as a foretaste or assurance of future gifts, He provides us with various blessings: for some, the ability to perform miracles; for others, the talent for teaching; and for yet others, different gifts. By embracing these blessings, we build our confidence in receiving the more perfect gifts to come.

Lastly, 'shoes for the feet' are provided to protect them from scorpions—symbolizing subtle and seemingly minor errors, as David notes (Psalm 18:13)—as well as from deadly sins often likened to serpents. Moreover, for one honored with the initial garment, shoes are bestowed as a sign that God prepares him to proclaim the gospel and serve the needs of others. It is the hallmark of a Christian to be of service to those around him.

Isaiah also mentions this sign, saying, "then shall the signified be manifest." This mark is given upon the hand, as the Scriptures refer to acts of righteousness, for instance, the word of the Lord came through the hand of Haggai the prophet (Haggai 1:1, Haggai 2:1) when the Lord proclaimed to Jerusalem, "I have adorned you with jewelry, and I have placed a wrist on your hands" (Ezek. 16:11).

Moreover, for one clothed in a podir, another part of the body is indicated for the seal: "Pass through the midst of the city of Jerusalem and mark the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done in it" (Ezek. 9:4). What is the intention behind this? So that they may proclaim, "The light of Thy countenance is manifest upon us, O Lord" (Ps. 4:7). The boots on his feet represent the loss of bridegroom dignity, as he could not observe the Passover barefoot. These are the boots of which the Lord speaks, "And your shoe is blackened" (Ezek. 16:10). The footwear is meant to protect him from deceitful serpents, ensuring that he may tread safely upon them and scorpions; it prepares him for the "preaching of the gospel" of peace, so that he no longer walks in the flesh but in the Spirit, and that the prophetic words may be fulfilled: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news" (Isaiah 52:7).

His words and actions received a seal—a form of assistance and fortification in his noble intentions on the correct path, to avoid stumbling against a stone, as seen in Psalms 90:12 and Matthew 4:6, and in order not to fall prey to the devil's traps and abandon the mission of preaching the Lord. This represents the readiness for evangelism, guiding those who are prepared towards heavenly matters, so that we walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:4).

"I cannot bear to witness the nakedness of my child, nor can my divine image be tarnished by such shame; by the actions of the son, the father is often judged. Thus, hurry, you servants, to restore to him the former beauty that I desire. It is nonsensical for him to appear forsaken by both Providence and grace, for he has returned to Me in repentance and received forgiveness. Rather, enfold him in grace as I have instructed, O Lord and Sovereign of the Ages."

"Let my son be a pillar of honor in creation; adorn his right hand with a ring, so that he may become united with the undivided Trinity, which will protect him on the paths of righteousness. All will observe from afar, as he lives his life, that he is My son, the heir of the universal King. Even the demons will recognize him, and he will instill fear in them and the prideful devil. No one will dare approach him when he bears My mark, nor will they stand against My power, for I am the Lord and Sovereign of the Ages. I will not leave his feet unprotected; let his feet be guarded by Providence as well, so find him shoes, that the crafty serpent may not strike at his vulnerable heel again, nor will evil conspire against the humble. I empower my son, whose steps will be easy for the dragon to trample into the dust: let him tread fearlessly upon serpents and venomous creatures, and let him journey to paradise, which I, the Lord and Sovereign of the Ages, have planted."

It only requires a sinner to awaken to his condition, to reflect on his former ways, to condemn himself, to recall the mercy of God in repentance—even if compelled—to declare, "I will return to my Father," and to truly make that journey. The Merciful Lord will warmly embrace His wayward child who was lifeless and has been revived, lost and now found. The illustrations of the lost sheep and the lost coin reveal God's compassion for those who have unintentionally wandered into sin. Such individuals are not irretrievably lost; they can still be rescued. Hence, the Lord reaches out to them, presenting trials that help them regain their senses, repent, and return to the righteous path. Upon their return to Christ's fold, He does not chastise them for their absence, but instead welcomes them with great joy.

The story of the prodigal son reflects God’s mercy extended to the sinner who willfully indulged in a life of sin, seeking pleasure in this world; yet, at the brink of ruin, this sinner remembered the Lord and sought his Father in repentance. God joyfully accepted and forgave this wayward son. The father’s love, even for the most wayward child, brings him great joy in the discovery that what was lost has been found, that the one who was dead now lives. These feelings of love and joy leave no room for punishment or retribution; they only foster unconditional forgiveness and the total erasure of past transgressions.

The son began to speak, saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no longer worthy to be called thy son.” He planned to request an unworthy position among the hired servants, but his father interrupted him. Without delay, he commanded that the finest robe be brought to clothe him, shoes to adorn his feet, and a ring for his hand. He also ordered the preparation of a fatted calf for a joyful feast, celebrating with his household over his son who had been ‘dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’