Luke 15:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

NIV: "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.

NASB: But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet;

CSB: "But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

NLT: But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

As the prodigal son returns home, two things happen simultaneously. The son is properly repentant. He recognizes he has sinned against his father and against God. He took their blessings and then lived as if they had no more authority in his life; in fact, as if they did not exist. He wants to sincerely acknowledge his sin and beg for any mercy they may offer (Luke 15:11–19). At the same time, the father accepted his repentance before he heard his voice. He saw his son walking home from a distance and knew his heart. He had already begun the restoration process before his son could get the words out by embracing and kissing him (Luke 15:20–21).

The words are important for the son to say for his own sake. The father has already moved to the next step. He gives his son three things to signify the restoration of their relationship, although the specific meanings are ambiguous. The ring, the robe, and the shoes may just be signs that the father has restored his son to fellowship and an honored position (Esther 6:6–11), but they may mean more. If the ring is a seal, it is a sign of restored authority within the family (Genesis 41:42). The robe may be a sign that the son's sin is covered (Zechariah 3:4–5; Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 3:18).

The shoes are especially poignant. Slaves don't wear shoes; sons do. For reasons scholars debate, the son did not finish his intended apology: he did not ask to be made a servant (Luke 15:19, 21). The shoes are a subtle sign that the father would not allow it anyway.

Luke 15:11–32 records the famous parable of the prodigal son. To be "prodigal" is to be wastefully extravagant. Jesus is speaking to Pharisees who condemn His association with sinners. His point is that God seeks sinners so they can be saved (Luke 15:1–10). In this parable, Jesus presses others to join God's celebration over the return of repentant sinners. This is one of the most detailed and developed parables in the Bible, almost on the level of allegory, and is unique to Luke. Next, Jesus teaches how the lives of Christ-followers should differ from those in the world (Luke 16:1—17:10).

To answer criticisms that He associates with sinners, Jesus tells three parables. A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to rescue a single lost member. A woman searches diligently to locate a lost coin. A father eagerly forgives his wayward son when the young man returns in humility and repentance. All these lead to celebration. In the same way, Jesus teaches that God cares about restoring those who have fallen, and we should mirror His joy whenever that happens.

Luke 15 contains three parables with the theme of something "lost." The lost sheep, coin, and son represent sinners who leave God foolishly, unknowingly, or rebelliously. God seeks the foolish and the ignorant and waits patiently for the rebel to return to Him in humble repentance. Next is a collection of teachings on the differences between worldly and kingdom living (Luke 16:1—17:10). After two more groups of a miracle, teachings on the kingdom, and teachings on salvation (Luke 17:11—19:27), Jesus will enter Jerusalem and prepare for the crucifixion.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.