Luke 15:27

“And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.”

Luke 15:27 is part of the well-known Parable of the Prodigal Son, which is found in Luke 15:11-32. This parable is one of Jesus’ teachings and is meant to convey important spiritual truths to His listeners. Let’s explore the verse in its context to gain a deeper understanding.

In the parable, a younger son asks his father for his share of the inheritance and goes off to a far country, where he squanders his wealth on prodigal living. Eventually, a famine arises, and the son finds himself in dire circumstances, working and feeding pigs. Realizing the dire state he is in, he decides to return to his father, even if it means becoming a hired servant.

In Luke 15:27, we find the moment when the older son, who had remained with the father and was unaware of his brother’s return, learns of his brother’s arrival. The servant informs him that his brother has come, and his father has celebrated his safe return by killing the fatted calf.

This verse highlights two significant aspects of the parable: the older son’s reaction and the father’s response.

The older son’s reaction:The older son’s response is an essential part of the parable. When he learns that his brother has returned, he becomes angry and refuses to join the celebration. This reaction reveals his deep resentment and lack of forgiveness towards his brother. The older son’s attitude reflects the self-righteousness and judgmental nature of the Pharisees and scribes, whom Jesus intended to address with this parable.

The father’s response:The father’s actions demonstrate his unconditional love, forgiveness, and joy at his younger son’s return. He not only welcomes his prodigal son with open arms but also throws a grand celebration to express his delight. The father’s response highlights God’s character and His desire to reconcile with those who have gone astray.

This parable teaches several important lessons:

• a) God’s forgiveness and mercy: The parable illustrates God’s boundless mercy and forgiveness. The father’s response to his son’s return represents God’s compassion and willingness to receive repentant sinners. It shows that no matter how far someone has strayed, God is ready to forgive and restore them.
• b) The danger of self-righteousness: The older son’s reaction reveals the danger of self-righteousness and judgmental attitudes. Just like the Pharisees and scribes, the older son fails to grasp the depth of God’s love and forgiveness. This challenges listeners to examine their own hearts and avoid falling into the trap of self-righteousness.
• c) Rejoicing in repentance: The celebration held by the father symbolizes the joy that occurs in heaven when a sinner repents. It encourages believers to share in God’s joy when those who were lost are found and brought back into a relationship with Him.

Overall, Luke 15:27 provides a glimpse into the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the contrasting reactions of the older son and the father. It invites us to reflect on our own attitudes towards forgiveness, reconciliation, and rejoicing over those who have strayed but returned to God.