Albert Barnes

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons.

“And he said - Jesus, to illustrate still farther the sentiment which he had uttered, and to show that it was proper to rejoice over repenting sinners, proceeds to show it by a most beautiful and instructive parable.”

After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.

“Gathered all together - Collected his property. If he had received flocks or grain, he sold them and converted them into money. As soon as this arrangement had been made he left his father’s house. Took his journey - Went, or traveled.”

So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.

“Joined himself - Entered the service of that citizen. Hired himself out to him. It would seem that he engaged to do any kind of work, even of the lowest kind.”

Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death!

“He came to himself - This is a very expressive phrase. It is commonly applied to one who has been “deranged,” and when he recovers we say he has “come to himself.””

I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

“No more worthy ... - “Such has been my conduct that I have been a disgrace to my father. I am not fit to be honored by being called the son of a man so kind and virtuous.” Make me as one ...”

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.

“The best robe - The son was probably in rags. The joy of the father is expressed by clothing him in the best raiment, that he might appear well.”

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.

“Be merry - Literally, “eating, let us rejoice.” The word “merry” does not quite express the meaning of the Greek. “Merriment” denotes a light, playful, jovial mirth. The Greek denotes simply “joy - let us be happy, or joyful.””

Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

“In the field - At work. This eldest son is designed to represent the Pharisees who had found fault with the Saviour. Their conduct is likened to that of this envious and unnatural brother.”

But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours.

“A kid - A young goat. This was of less value than the calf; and he complains that while his father had never given “him” a thing of so little value as “a kid,” he had now given his other son the “fatted calf.””

‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours.

“All I have is thine - The property was divided. What remained was in reality the older son’s. He was heir to it all, and had a right, if he chose, to use it. He had, therefore, no right to complain.”

Jesus also said to His disciples, “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.

“His disciples - The word “disciples,” here, is not to be restricted to the twelve apostles or to the seventy. The parable appears to have been addressed to all the professed followers of the Saviour who were present when it was delivered.”

The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, now that my master is taking away my position? I am too weak to dig and too ashamed to beg.

“Said within himself - Thought, or considered. My lord - My master, my employer. I cannot dig - This may mean either that his employment had been such that he could not engage in agriculture, not having been acquainted with the business, or that he…”

And he called in each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master?’ he asked the first.

“Called every one - As he was “steward,” he had the management of all the affairs, and, of course, debts were to be paid to him. Debtors - Those who “owed” his master, or perhaps “tenants;” those who rented land of his master.”

Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ ‘A hundred measures of wheat,’ he replied. ‘Take your bill and write eighty,’ he told him.

“Measures of wheat - The measure here mentioned - the “kor,” or homer - contained, according to the tables of Dr. Arbuthnot, about 32 pecks, or 8 bushels; or, according to the marginal note, about 14 bushels and a “pottle.” A “pottle” is 4 pints.”

I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings.

“I say unto you - I, Jesus, say to you, my disciples. Make to yourselves friends - Some have understood the word “friends,” here, as referring to the poor; others, to holy angels; and others, to God.”

So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?

“Who will commit ... - If you are not faithful in the small matters pertaining to this world, if you do not use aright your property and influence, you cannot expect that God will commit to you the true riches of his grace.”

Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.

“There was a certain rich man - Many have supposed that our Lord here refers to a “real history,” and gives an account of some man who had lived in this manner; but of this there is no evidence.”

In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.

“In hell - The word here translated hell (“Hades”) means literally a dark, obscure place; the place where departed spirits go, but especially the place where “wicked” spirits go. See the Job 10:21-22 notes; Isa 14:9 note.”

So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.

“Father Abraham - The Jews considered it a signal honor that Abraham was their “father” - that is, that they were “descendants” from him.”

But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

“Son - This is a representation designed to correspond with the word “father.” He was a descendant of Abraham a Jew - and Abraham is represented as calling this thing to his remembrance.”

And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross…

“A great gulf - The word translated “gulf” means chasm, or the broad, yawning space between two elevated objects. In this place it means that there is no way of passing from one to the other. Fixed - Strengthened - made firm or immovable.”

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also end up in this place of torment.’

“Five brethren - The number “five” is mentioned merely to preserve the appearance of verisimilitude in the story. It is not to be spiritualized, nor are we to suppose that it has any hidden or inscrutable meaning.”

But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’

“They have Moses - The writings of Moses. The first five books of the Bible. The prophets - The remainder of the Old Testament. What the prophets had written. Hear them - Hear them speak in the Scriptures.”

Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

“Be persuaded - Be convinced of the truth; of the danger and folly of their way; of the certainty of their suffering hereafter, and be induced to turn from sin to holiness, and from Satan unto God.”

Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

“See the notes at Mat 18:15, Mat 18:21-22. “Trespass against thee.” Sin against thee, or does anything that gives you an offence or does you an injury. Rebuke - Reprove. Go and tell him his fault, and seek an explanation.”