An In-depth Study of the Parable of the Prodigal Son

In The Prodigal God, Timothy Keller delves deep into the Parable of the Prodigal Son. While most pastors and teachers focus on the younger (more obviously prodigal) son, this book looks at both sons.

A key to understanding this parable is knowing to whom Jesus told the parable. There were two groups of people listening to Jesus that day: tax collectors and “sinners,” and Pharisees and scribes. Timothy Keller points out that Jesus directed the parable to the Pharisees and scribes.

Both sons are prodigals; they represent the two ways people have a broken relationship with God. One son ran from God and then returned. The other stayed and obeyed his father only for what he could get in return. The older son represents the moralistic view, people who do things for God and then think that God owes them something in return.  

Neither son respected nor loved his father for who he is. They were more interested in what they could get out of their father.

Reading this book opened my eyes. I had never thought about the motives of the older brother in this way. I was surprised when Timothy Keller pointed out the Jesus had left someone out of the parable. You’ll have to read the book to see who he meant! 

I highly recommend this book. It will give you new insight into this very familiar parable.

The Prodigal God is published by Penguin Books and is available from the following online retailers: