Luke 15:32

32 But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' "

Luke 15:32 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 15:32

It was meet that we should make merry
Both father, son, and servants; (See Gill on Luke 15:23) (See Gill on Luke 15:24) and this elder brother also, because of the relation he stood in to him: and if he had had the same spiritual affection the apostle had for his brethren and kinsmen, according to the flesh, ( Romans 9:3 ) ( 10:1 ) and he would have rejoiced at the conversion and return of sinners by repentance:

and be glad;
as his father was, and the angels in heaven be; see ( Luke 15:10 )

for this thy brother,
though he would not own him as such,

was dead, and is alive again, and was lost, and is found:
(See Gill on Luke 15:24) and so the parable is concluded, the elder brother being silenced, and having nothing to say against such strong reasoning.

Luke 15:32 In-Context

30 But this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!'

31 "My son,' the father answered, "you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours.

32 But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' "