Parable of the Prodigal Son - Bible Story
Stephen Baker
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Then he said, "There was once a man who had two sons.
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The younger said to his father, 'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.'
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It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had.
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After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt.
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He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs.
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He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.
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"That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death.
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I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you;
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I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.'
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He got right up and went home to his father. When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him.
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The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
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"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
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Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time!
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My son is here - given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time.
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"All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day's work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing.
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Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on.
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He told him, 'Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast - barbecued beef! - because he has him home safe and sound.'
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"The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't listen.
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The son said, 'Look how many years I've stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends?
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Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!'
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"His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours -
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but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'"
Luke 15:11-32 Study Resources
Sermons
Lost and Found
Stuart and Jill Briscoe
A parable is defined as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. And the parable of the prodigal son found in Luke 15 may be one of the most famous parables in Scripture. The story of the prodigal son is about God losing something very precious and sending His son, Jesus, to get it back. This is God’s world, and He wants it back!
Biblical Forgiveness
Raul Ries
Pointing to the parable of a prodigal son welcomed back by his father, Pastor Raul will show you that no matter what mistakes are in your past, God’s grace can reset your future. Learn more on Somebody Loves You with Pastor Raul Ries.
Parable Of The Prodigal - 3C
Jack Hibbs
Today, Pastor Jack teaches that the older son in this parable was angry that his younger brother was restored. He didn’t realize his behavior was just as rebellious, refusing to defend his father’s love and mercy towards his youngest.
We Are All Needy
Father Tom DiLorenzo
In this episode, broadcast on WROL Radio on March 24, 2025, Fr. Tom DiLorenzo is joined by fellow evangelist, Anthony Correnti. They read from and comment upon the gospel of Luke, chapter 15, verses 11-32.
When You've Done Someone Wrong, Part 2
Paul Sheppard
How to come to terms with and properly acknowledge the sins we’ve committed against others; based on Lk. 15:11-32 and other passages. CLICK HERE to ORDER this 2-part series on MP3!
Coming Back to Our Heavenly Father: Father Matters I
Inseong J Kim
Many of us who are called "bayboomers" are experiencing awakening from our youth and the wisdom from God through our experiences. Every generation lays a foundation for the next generation. We work hard to help our next generation (our children) live a better life than us. That is our natural father's heart. When we come back HOME where our Heavenly Father is, our family comes back home. We want to welcome our guest who is a pioneer in the issue of father in our generation. Vance Simms is Founder and Executive Director of Father Matters. Father Matters is an organization where fathers can be mentored by other fathers or fathers can mentor other fathers. Please visit their website www.fathermatters.org.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
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