NBST 610
Exegetical Paper: Passage Outline and Background
Hyun Jun Jang
NBST 610
09 November 2025
NBST 610
I. Introduction
The parable of the lost son, more commonly known as the prodigal son, is one of the most
wellknown teachings of Jesus. Found in the Gospel of Luke, this parable conveys powerful
themes of salvation, forgiveness, and righteousness. The story centers around three main
characters—the younger son, the father, and the older brother—and serves as a profound
lesson on how believers should respond to those who come to faith. Its message holds
particular significance for Christians who are new or maturing in their spiritual journey.
One of the main interpretive challenges of this parable lies in understanding it from the
perspectives of each character—the son, the father, and the brother. Jesus shared this parable
in response to the Pharisees’ complaints about His association with sinners. In Luke 15:11–32,
He teaches His audience about the importance of love expressed through forgiveness and grace,
and how believers are to treat one another as members of God’s family. As Snodgrass notes,
this parable “summarizes the gospel itself in narrative form.”1
This study will examine the cultural, historical, and literary contexts of the passage to develop a
faithful interpretation and identify the appropriate hermeneutical principles for understanding
its message.
II. Statement of the Passage
This paper will examine Luke 15:11–32 using the English Standard Version (ESV). The parable
begins with a younger son who lives a rebellious life, seeking independence and pleasure. He
squanders his inheritance through reckless living, indulging in worldly desires until he finds
himself destitute and alone. In his brokenness, he decides to return home, repentant and
willing to serve as a hired hand. His father, filled with compassion, runs to meet him, embraces
him, and celebrates his return. Meanwhile, the older brother becomes angry and resentful,
feeling that his own faithfulness has been overlooked in light of his brother’s redemption.
1 Klyne Snodgrass, Stories with Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus, 2nd ed.
(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2018), 128.
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Bailey explains that the son’s request for his inheritance before his father’s death would have
been viewed as “tantamount to wishing his father dead” in first-century culture.2
When discussing the older brother’s bitterness, Bock observes that his reaction mirrors the
Pharisees’ attitude toward Jesus’ acceptance of sinners.3
This parable follows two others in the same chapter—the parables of the lost sheep and the lost
coin. In both, Jesus emphasizes God’s joy over the recovery of what was lost. These preceding
stories establish the theme of God’s compassionate pursuit of sinners. Green notes that the
three parables function together as a unified response to the Pharisees’ criticism, culminating in
the father’s joy over the son’s return.4 Together, they illustrate the proper attitude believers
should have toward repentance and restoration, challenging the self-righteousness of the
religious elite.
III. Overview of the Exegetical Problem
The key interpretive challenge is identifying the focus of the parable—whether it is the younger
son, the father, or the older brother. Considering the immediate context and Jesus’ audience,
the focus appears to lean toward the older brother, symbolizing the Pharisees’ self-
righteousness.
•What does this parable teach about repentance and grace?
This parable reveals that repentance leads to the grace of God, regardless of a person’s
background or past. God extends grace to all who return to Him, demonstrating that every
repentant sinner is precious in His sight and worthy of celebration.
•Why does Jesus end the story without resolving the elder brother’s response?
•How does this parable confront the Pharisees’ attitude toward sinners?
2 Kenneth E. Bailey, The Cross and the Prodigal: Luke 15 Through the Eyes of Middle Eastern
Peasants (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2005), 34–36.
3 Darrell L. Bock, Luke 9:51–24:53, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic, 1996), 1304.
4 Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, New International Commentary on the New Testament
(Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 571–73.
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Kenneth Bailey views the father as God the father who gives divine grace and reconciliation.5
Joel Green emphasizes that the parable contributes to Luke’s broader theme of God seeking the
lost.6 Darrell Bock suggests that both sons are “lost” in different ways—the younger through
rebellion, the elder through pride.7 Craig Blomberg and Klyne Snodgrass both argue that the
parable cannot be a representation of just one lesson, but contains levels of different lessons.8
The parable challenges listeners to share in God’s joy over repentance rather than resist His
mercy.
IV. Outline of the Passage
1. vv. 11–16 – The Younger Son’s Rebellion and Fall o Requests his
inheritance prematurely—a serious cultural insult.9o Squanders it in
a distant land, resulting in poverty and shame.
2. vv. 17–19 – The Younger Son’s Repentance o “Comes to his
senses” and plans to return home as a hired servant. 3. vv. 20–24 –
The Father’s Compassion and Restoration o The father runs to meet
him, embraces him, and restores him publicly. o A celebration
begins: “For this my son was dead and is alive again.”
4. vv. 25–30 – The Older Son’s Resentment o
Refuses to join the celebration.
o Complains about the father’s mercy, revealing bitterness and self-righteousness.
5. vv. 31–32 – The Father’s Final Appeal o Invites the
older son to share in the joy of reconciliation.
o The open-ended conclusion leaves the audience to reflect on their response.
5 Bailey, The Cross and the Prodigal, 42.
6 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 579.
7 Bock, Luke 9:51–24:53, 1306.
8 Craig L. Blomberg, Interpreting the Parables (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2012), 219–
21; Snodgrass, Stories with Intent, 134–36.
9 Bailey, The Cross and the Prodigal, 33.
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Marshall identifies this five-part structure as a movement from rebellion to restoration,
culminating in an unresolved conclusion that invites audience reflection.10
V. Thesis and Background
The parable of the prodigal son teaches that God’s grace welcomes repentant sinners and
exposes the pride that prevents others from sharing in His joy.
We can understand the thesis of the passage by examining different aspects of the contexts. We
can examine, historical, cultural, social, and literary contexts to better understand the passage
and examine our thesis.
Luke, is debated to be a physician and companion of Paul, wrote his Gospel around A.D. 60–62
to primarily Gentile believers. Green notes that Luke’s purpose was to assure believers of the
reliability of the gospel and emphasize salvation for all people.11
In the ancient Near Eastern context, requesting one’s inheritance before a father’s death was
considered deeply disrespectful.12 Additionally, a father running publicly to meet his son would
have been viewed as undignified, symbolizing humility and unconditional love. Sharing a meal
signified full acceptance and restored relationship. Bailey explains that these cultural inversions
highlight the radical mercy of God’s kingdom, where grace triumphs over shame.13
The parable directly addresses the Pharisees and scribes who criticized Jesus for associating
with sinners. Bock observes that this story rebukes religious exclusivity by portraying God’s
inclusivity.14 Luke’s Gospel frequently emphasizes the inclusion of Gentiles and marginalized
people in God’s kingdom.
As the third parable in Luke 15, following the lost sheep and lost coin, this narrative completes
the pattern of “lost, found, and rejoicing.” Luke arranges these stories in a specific order of an
10 I. Howard Marshall, The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text, NIGTC (Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978), 601–4.
11 Green, The Gospel of Luke, 35–37.
12 Bailey, The Cross and the Prodigal, 45.
13 Bailey, The Cross and the Prodigal, 47-49.
14 Bock, Luke 9:51–24:53, 1307.
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animal, an object, and finally a person to explain reconciliation.15 This narrative structure
illustrates the heart of the gospel: divine grace vs human pride.
VII. Conclusion
The parable of the prodigal son powerfully illustrates God’s initiating love and forgiveness. Both
sons represent different ways people can be “lost”—the younger through open rebellion and
the older through self-righteousness. The story invites readers to self-examination, calling them
to rejoice in God’s mercy rather than harbor resentment toward others who receive it.
Ultimately, this parable affirms that God’s grace extends to all who repent and that His joy over
a sinner’s return should be shared by His people. While the narrative may appear centered on
the younger son, Jesus’ underlying intent was to confront the Pharisees’ pride and exclusionary
attitude. As Snodgrass concludes, “The grace of the father overturns all human expectations,
offering love where none is deserved.”16
This study provides a foundation for deeper exegetical analysis in the final paper by establishing
the theological focus, cultural framework, and interpretive direction necessary for a thorough
understanding of Luke 15:11–32.
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15 John Nolland, Luke 9:21–18:34, Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 35B (Dallas: Word, 1993),
784–86; Marshall, The Gospel of Luke, 598.
16 Snodgrass, Stories with Intent, 142.
