The Parable of the Prodigal Son: A Father's Love

This parable tells the story of a son who leaves his father, squanders his inheritance, and returns home repentant.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son: A Father's Love

Luke 15:11-32

11. And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30. But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Sermons Related to this Bible Chapter - The Parable of the Prodigal Son: A Father's Love

The Prodigal God : I would like to start by asking you a question but before asking you, here is first a little story. A good 10 years ago now, I had a discussion with my best friend who you probably know, Joël Hirschy. He was pastor of Action Biblique de Meinier and is now in Valais on a missionary project. What animated our discussion was the notion of grace. We found that there was a potential risk regarding grace of misusing it and being able to justify committing sins because in the end, God forgave us. We came to the conclusion that it was better to be more legalistic than under this grace with this fear of living as Dietrich Bonhöffer very well recalled, in his book “living as a disciple”, cheap grace . So I ask you the question: what do you think is the best position to adopt? Are we more inclined to set strict moral rules or live under a grace that ultimately allows us to live as we wish?

Parables #2: Will the one you reject precede you into eternity? : Grace, okay, but I'm worth it, even I'm "Vaud" well (in all respects: I work, I pay my taxes, no debts, I pay tithes and I go to worship every Sundays)… – “After all, I'm not like those who are in social services, on the hook for society after having done anything with their lives. – “There's no risk of them coming to pollute eternity, those ones! “Are you so sure? Their determination to seek God can be amazing. In any case God notices it and would like to see it in your life, that you can, like them, know repentance and the joy that is linked to it.

Parables #1: The one you reject has the same place as you (Gospel of Luke 15 ); Patrice Berger : Whether we admit it or not, we all have people we consider excluded by the hand that Jesus extends to each person. As these thoughts are common to all humans (collateral effect of our decline), God wanted to emphasize in the Bible, through Jesus, that His grace is accessible to each person who repents, without exception, without hierarchy...You can consult the Bible texts referenced in the sermon in the Bible Segond21 (S21) Gospel of Luke 15 or the Bible NEG 1979 Gospel of Luke 15 available online.Sermons/Bible studies are also available in :Audio: Podcast / Spotify video: The Parables#1: The one you reject has the same place as you ; see also the YouTube channel of the AB Lausanne-Renens church and the YouTube channel of the Action Biblique churches

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A nighttime scene depicts a farmer tending to his livestock under a starlit sky. A single, distant light suggests a nearby village, symbolizing home and hope. The scene is peaceful and evokes a sense of longing and quiet reflection. The peaceful rural scene mirrors the tranquility and hope the prodigal son feels as he takes steps towards returning home to his family.

A richly detailed painting of a feast, overflowing with food and wine, yet an empty chair at the head of the table signifies the absence of the prodigal son, before his return. Focus on the textures and details of the food, conveying abundance and celebration but with a sense of emptiness. The imagery of a lavish feast with a conspicuously empty seat emphasizes the absence of the prodigal son and underscores the father's continuous love.

A close-up depiction of a worn, leather-bound book lying open to a passage of scripture, highlighting the parable of the prodigal son. The text itself is not legible, but the context is clear through the setting and the worn nature of the book symbolizing years of reading and study. This close-up focuses on the written word as a source of wisdom and guidance, symbolizing the power of the parable's message to offer hope and redemption.

Macro shot of a father's calloused hand gently resting on his son's shoulder, their fingers intertwined. Focus on the textures of the skin – wrinkles, scars, dirt – showing the passage of time and the depth of their connection. The light emphasizes the contrast between the rough hands and the tender gesture. The tactile detail in this macro shot underscores the powerful, unspoken bond between father and son, a core element of the parable's message of forgiveness and redemption.

A bright morning scene with orange sunlight illuminating a field of ripe wheat, representing abundance and the father's wealth. A lone figure, dressed in rags, walks towards the horizon, symbolizing the prodigal son's journey home. The scene should radiate warmth and hope. This scene uses the imagery of abundance to contrast with the son's previous state and emphasize the father's unwavering generosity and the potential for renewal.

Golden morning light casts long shadows across a lush vineyard. Grapes hang heavy on the vines, suggesting plenty. In the foreground, a worn leather bag lies open, spilling a few remaining coins, symbolizing the diminishing resources of the prodigal son. The scene evokes a sense of both abundance and loss. The juxtaposition of the bountiful vineyard with the depleted bag mirrors the contrast between the father's wealth and the son's impoverishment, showcasing the themes of waste and potential.

Silhouetted against a fiery sunset, a lone figure sits beside a dusty road, his head bowed in despair. The landscape is barren and desolate. The colors of the sunset reflect his internal struggle and the harsh reality of his choices. The desolate landscape and setting sun highlight the son's spiritual emptiness and isolation before he finally decides to return to his father’s embrace.

Evening shadows lengthen across a desolate landscape, with a single, flickering lamp illuminating a humble dwelling in the distance. This represents the father's home, a beacon of hope amidst the son's despair. The scene is quiet and contemplative. The lone light in the distance symbolizes the father's constant love and the enduring hope of reconciliation, regardless of the son's mistakes.

A group of farm laborers gather at dawn, preparing for a day of work. One figure, dressed shabbily, stands apart, his face etched with exhaustion and remorse. The early morning light hints at the possibility of a fresh start. This scene portrays the son's disillusionment and regret within the context of his community, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the journey towards forgiveness.

Morning light streams into a farmhouse kitchen. A family sits around a simple table, eating a meal. One empty chair is visible, representing the absent prodigal son. The warmth and togetherness emphasize the love that awaits his return. The empty chair symbolizes the longing for the prodigal son, emphasizing the profound love of the father who continues to anticipate his return and forgiveness.

Night falls on a bustling marketplace. Crowds of people are visible, but one figure stands alone in the shadows, his face hidden, symbolizing the son’s isolation and shame during his time away. The scene is dimly lit, emphasizing the loneliness. The son's isolation in the bustling marketplace emphasizes the contrast between his loneliness and the community he is distanced from.

overlayed with the bible verse 11. And he said, A certain man had two sons:

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : The Parable of the Prodigal Son: A Father's Love

Close-up of a worn, dirt-stained coin purse lying beside a single, withered olive branch, symbolizing the squandered inheritance and the son's desolation. The coins are scattered, hinting at careless spending. The scene is dimly lit, evoking a sense of regret and despair.
Macro shot of a father's calloused hand gently resting on his son's shoulder, their fingers intertwined. Focus on the textures of the skin – wrinkles, scars, dirt – showing the passage of time and the depth of their connection. The light emphasizes the contrast between the rough hands and the tender gesture.
A bright morning scene with orange sunlight illuminating a field of ripe wheat, representing abundance and the father's wealth. A lone figure, dressed in rags, walks towards the horizon, symbolizing the prodigal son's journey home. The scene should radiate warmth and hope.
Golden morning light casts long shadows across a lush vineyard. Grapes hang heavy on the vines, suggesting plenty. In the foreground, a worn leather bag lies open, spilling a few remaining coins, symbolizing the diminishing resources of the prodigal son. The scene evokes a sense of both abundance and loss.
Silhouetted against a fiery sunset, a lone figure sits beside a dusty road, his head bowed in despair. The landscape is barren and desolate. The colors of the sunset reflect his internal struggle and the harsh reality of his choices.
Evening shadows lengthen across a desolate landscape, with a single, flickering lamp illuminating a humble dwelling in the distance. This represents the father's home, a beacon of hope amidst the son's despair. The scene is quiet and contemplative.
A group of farm laborers gather at dawn, preparing for a day of work. One figure, dressed shabbily, stands apart, his face etched with exhaustion and remorse. The early morning light hints at the possibility of a fresh start.
Morning light streams into a farmhouse kitchen. A family sits around a simple table, eating a meal. One empty chair is visible, representing the absent prodigal son. The warmth and togetherness emphasize the love that awaits his return.
Night falls on a bustling marketplace. Crowds of people are visible, but one figure stands alone in the shadows, his face hidden, symbolizing the son’s isolation and shame during his time away. The scene is dimly lit, emphasizing the loneliness.
A nighttime scene depicts a farmer tending to his livestock under a starlit sky. A single, distant light suggests a nearby village, symbolizing home and hope. The scene is peaceful and evokes a sense of longing and quiet reflection.
A richly detailed painting of a feast, overflowing with food and wine, yet an empty chair at the head of the table signifies the absence of the prodigal son, before his return. Focus on the textures and details of the food, conveying abundance and celebration but with a sense of emptiness.
A close-up depiction of a worn, leather-bound book lying open to a passage of scripture, highlighting the parable of the prodigal son. The text itself is not legible, but the context is clear through the setting and the worn nature of the book symbolizing years of reading and study.

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: The Lost Sheep; The Lost Coin; The Prodigal Son

A link to this resource is much appreciated to let others know about this free christian resource. The AB Church in LAusanne-Renens is happy to make the image collection available for free.

The Prodigal Son in Art

The parable of the Prodigal Son has been a popular subject for artists throughout history. Here are a few notable paintings on this theme:

"The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669, Netherlands)
Rembrandt depicted the emotional reunion of the father and son with great tenderness. He focused on the expressions and gestures of the figures, conveying forgiveness and love. Rembrandt was a master of light and shadow, and a key figure in the Dutch Golden Age. He was born in Leiden and died in Amsterdam.
"The Prodigal Son" by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617-1682, Spain)
Murillo's series of paintings on the Prodigal Son tells the story in a narrative sequence. His style is characterized by its realism and attention to detail. Murillo was a leading painter of the Spanish Baroque period, known for his religious scenes and genre paintings. He was born in Seville and died there.
"The Prodigal Son" by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553, Germany)
Cranach's depiction of the parable often includes elements of landscape and genre scenes, reflecting the style of the German Renaissance. He was a court painter to the Electors of Saxony and a friend of Martin Luther. He was born in Kronach and died in Weimar.

Search for images of "Prodigal Son paintings" on Google: examples of Prodigal Son paintings