The Parable of the Prodigal Son and Its Symbols

 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15:11-32, is one of the most profound and well-known stories told by Jesus. It is part of a series of three parables (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son) that Jesus told in response to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes. They complained that Jesus associated with sinners and ate with them, which, in their view, was unworthy of a religious teacher. Through this parable, Jesus reveals the loving, merciful, and forgiving character of God and contrasts it with the judgmental and exclusive attitude of the religious leaders.

Cultural Context

In Jesus' time, Jewish society was highly patriarchal and based on a system of honor and shame. The family was the central nucleus of social life, and respect for parents, especially the father, was considered one of the most sacred commandments. Therefore, any act that dishonored the father was considered extremely serious.

The Parable

Jesus begins the parable by saying that a man had two sons. The younger son makes an unusual request:

• Verse: "The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them." (Luke 15:12)
• Symbolism of the Inheritance: Asking for the inheritance while the father was still alive was a great act of disrespect and symbolized the rejection of the relationship with the father. In Jewish culture, the inheritance was only divided after the father's death. The son's request reveals his desire for independence and rebellion, as if he was saying that he didn't care about his father's life, only what he could gain from him.

A few days later, the younger son sets off for a distant country:

• Verse: "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living." (Luke 15:13)
• Symbolism of the Distant Country: The "distant country" symbolizes the separation from God. It represents the choice to live far from the influence and values of the father, seeking fulfillment in worldly things. This separation leads the son to become lost and morally and spiritually degraded.

After squandering all his inheritance, a severe famine strikes the land, and the younger son finds himself in great need:

• Verse: "He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything." (Luke 15:16)
• Symbolism of the Pigs' Food: In Jewish culture, pigs were considered unclean (Leviticus 11:7). Desiring to eat the pigs' food symbolizes the lowest level of degradation that sin can cause, leading a person to lose all dignity. The son hits rock bottom, illustrating the devastation that separation from God can bring.

Repentant, the son decides to return home and ask his father to treat him as one of the hired servants:

• Verse: "I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants." (Luke 15:18-19)
• Symbolism of Repentance: The son's return represents genuine repentance, the acknowledgment that he made a mistake by separating from his father (God), and now he desires reconciliation, even if it means taking a humble position.

While the son was still a long way off, the father saw him and ran to meet him:

• Verse: "So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." (Luke 15:20)
• Symbolism of the Father's Embrace: The fact that the father saw the son from afar and ran to meet him symbolizes God's love and mercy. In the cultural context, it was unusual for an elderly man to run; this gesture shows the urgency and joy of the father in receiving his son back. The embrace and kiss symbolize total acceptance and forgiveness.

The father then orders his servants to bring the best items for the son:

• Verse: "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'" (Luke 15:22)
• Symbolism of the Robe, Ring, and Sandals:
  • Robe: Symbolizes the restoration of the son's dignity. By clothing the son in the best robe, the father covers his shame and sin, restoring his position as a member of the family.
  • Ring: Represents authority and the right to be treated as a son. The ring could bear the family seal, symbolizing the restoration of identity and familial authority.
  • Sandals: Symbolize freedom and belonging. Slaves did not wear sandals, so receiving them shows that the son would not be treated as a slave, but as a beloved, free, and restored son.

The father orders a celebration:

• Verse: "Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:23-24)
• Symbolism of the Feast: The feast symbolizes the joy in heaven when a sinner repents and returns to God. The celebration with the "fattened calf" shows the importance and magnitude of the event. It is a demonstration of the festive character of God's kingdom, where great joy is expressed over the return of the lost.

The older son, hearing about the celebration, becomes angry:

• Verse: "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him." (Luke 15:28)
• Symbolism of the Older Son: The older son represents the Pharisees and scribes, who followed the law and considered themselves righteous but lacked compassion and mercy. His refusal to enter the feast reveals an attitude of self-righteousness and a lack of understanding of God's unconditional love. He symbolizes those who, although seemingly close to God, have hearts hardened by bitterness and unforgiveness.

The father emphasizes the importance of the celebration in his response to the older son:

• Verse: "But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." (Luke 15:32)
• Symbolism of Being Dead and Alive Again: This expression is a metaphor for the spiritual condition. Separation from God is seen as spiritual death, and repentance and returning to God are compared to a resurrection, a new life. This reflects the deep transformation that occurs when someone is reconciled with God and restored to true life.

Conclusion

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a rich narrative that, through symbols and metaphors, reveals deep truths about God's love, the seriousness of sin, the importance of repentance, and the divine celebration that takes place when someone returns to the Father. Every element of the story is carefully used by Jesus to communicate the message of God's kingdom, highlighting the grace and mercy available to all, regardless of how far someone has strayed.