What is the parable of the prodigal son?

Jesus told of a son who wasted his inheritance and returned home in shame, only for his father to run to him, embrace him, and celebrate (Luke 15). It pictures God's welcome of those who return.

What does the prodigal son teach about God?

That God is like a father watching the road and running to meet the returning child, welcoming before the apology is even finished (Luke 15:20). Shame is met with embrace, not rejection.

Where is the parable of the prodigal son?

It is in Luke chapter 15, verses 11 to 32, part of a trio of parables about the lost being found. You can read it in the Gospel reader here.

Meet Jesus

The Prodigal Son: When You Are Ashamed to Come Back

A son took his inheritance, wasted it all, hit the bottom, and rehearsed a speech begging just to be hired as a servant. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, ran to him, threw his arms around him, and threw a feast. The son never even finished his apology. He was already home. Jesus told this to show what God is like.

If this is you

If you have wandered far and the shame of it makes the way back feel impossible, if you would settle for being tolerated because you are sure you have forfeited being loved, this is the story Jesus told for you. The father in it does not wait with folded arms. He runs.

The story

Jesus told of a younger son who demanded his inheritance early, left home, and squandered everything in reckless living. Starving and broke, he decided to go home and beg to be treated as a hired servant. He set out. But he never got to deliver his rehearsed speech.

“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son.”

Luke 15:18-19

“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.”

Luke 15:20

“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”

Luke 15:24

What this shows about Jesus

The father was watching the road, which means he had never stopped hoping. He ran, which no dignified man of that culture would do, because his joy outran his dignity. And he interrupted the apology with an embrace. Jesus told this parable when religious people criticized him for welcoming sinners. This is his answer, and his picture of God: not a reluctant judge, but a father sprinting toward you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the parable of the prodigal son?: Jesus told of a son who wasted his inheritance and returned home in shame, only for his father to run to him, embrace him, and celebrate (Luke 15). It pictures God's welcome of those who return.
What does the prodigal son teach about God?: That God is like a father watching the road and running to meet the returning child, welcoming before the apology is even finished (Luke 15:20). Shame is met with embrace, not rejection.
Where is the parable of the prodigal son?: It is in Luke chapter 15, verses 11 to 32, part of a trio of parables about the lost being found. You can read it in the Gospel reader here.

Read it yourself. Do not take our word for it. The whole scene is right there in the Gospel: Luke 15 → Read slowly, and watch what Jesus actually does.

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Come and see for yourself

You may have a speech ready about why you do not deserve to come back. The father in the story does not even let his son finish it. Turn toward home, and you will find him already running.

You do not have to believe anything yet. Just come and look at him with an open heart, the way the people in these stories did. He still draws near to everyone who comes.

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Jesus Christ is Lord.

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