e themselves from His followers. Despite the father’s pleading for them to “come in,” they refused and were the ones who instigated the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:59). A tragic ending to a story filled with such hope, mercy, joy, and forgiveness.
The picture of the father receiving the son back into relationship is a picture of how we should respond to repentant sinners as well (1 John 4:20-21; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We are included in that “all,” and we must remember that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” apart from Christ (Isaiah 64:6; John 15:1-6). It is only by God’s grace that we are saved, not by works that we may boast of (Ephesians 2:9; Romans 9:16; Psalm 51:5). That is the core message of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Recommended Resource: Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unforgiving / Unmerciful Servant?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sower?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Minas?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard?
What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast?
What is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Two Sons?
What is the meaning of the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price?
What is the meaning of the parable of the friend in need (persistent neighbor)?
What is the meaning of the parables of fasting at the wedding feast, the old cloth, and the wineskins?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13)?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Leaven?
Parables of Jesus
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son?