Luke 15:30

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(30) As soon as this thy son was come.—The feeling of discontent passes into scorn and bitterness. The sin of the wanderer is painted at once in the coarsest and darkest colours. The very turn of the phrase, “this thy son” speaks of a concentrated malignity.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:25-32 In the latter part of this parable we have the character of the Pharisees, though not of them alone. It sets forth the kindness of the Lord, and the proud manner in which his gracious kindness is often received. The Jews, in general, showed the same spirit towards the converted Gentiles; and numbers in every age object to the gospel and its preachers, on the same ground. What must that temper be, which stirs up a man to despise and abhor those for whom the Saviour shed his precious blood, who are objects of the Father's choice, and temples of the Holy Ghost! This springs from pride, self-preference, and ignorance of a man's own heart. The mercy and grace of our God in Christ, shine almost as bright in his tender and gentle bearing with peevish saints, as his receiving prodigal sinners upon their repentance. It is the unspeakable happiness of all the children of God, who keep close to their Father's house, that they are, and shall be ever with him. Happy will it be for those who thankfully accept Christ's invitation.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This thy son - This son of "thine." This is an expression of great contempt. He did not call him "his brother," but "his father's son," to show at once his contempt for his younger brother, and for his father for having received him as he did. Never was there a more striking instance of petty malice, or more unjustifiable disregard of a father's conduct and will.

Thy living - Thy property. This is still designed to irritate the father, and set him against his younger son. It was true that the younger son had been guilty, and foolish, and ungrateful; but he was penitent, and "that" was of more consequence to the father than all his property; and in the joy that he was penitent and was safe, he forgot his ingratitude and folly. So should the older son have done.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

29. these many years … neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment—The words are not to be pressed too far. He is merely contrasting his constancy of love and service with the conduct of his brother; just as Job, resenting the charge of hypocrisy by his friends, speaks as if nothing could be laid to his charge (Job 23:10-12), and David too (Ps 18:20-24). The father attests the truth of all he says.

never … a kid—I say not a calf, but not even a kid.

that I might make merry with my friends—Here lay his misapprehension. It was no entertainment for the gratification of the prodigal: it was a father's expression of the joy he felt at his recovery.

thy son … thy living—How unworthy a reflection on the common father of both, for the one not only to disown the other, but fling him over upon his father, as if he should say, Take him, and have joy of him!

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 15:25"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But as soon as this thy son was come,.... He will not own him in the relation of a brother, though the father had owned him in that of a son; and the offence he took was, that the fatted calf should be killed, or that a crucified Christ should be preached; that he should be preached at all, and much less that he should be preached to sinners; and still less that he should be preached so soon to them, as soon as ever they became sensible of their sin, as it was the will of his father it should be: for such are not to be sent away to cleanse themselves from sin by any thing they do, and then apply to Christ; or to heal themselves, and then come to him for a cure; or to get peace by doing so, and then come to him for rest; or to do any thing to fit themselves for him, for their case requires present help: now at this the self-righteous man is displeased. The elder brother would have had another method taken with this younger son: he would have had him soundly whipped with the rod of the law, for his former sins; and sent into the fields along with him to work out his salvation; and not to have a rag put upon him, or a shoe on his foot, or a morsel of bread given him, till he had earned them; but instead of this, to be received and entertained in the manner he was, and so soon, highly provoked him: for he thought such a conduct was unbecoming God, and his moral perfections; and what his brother was undeserving of; and opened a door to, licentiousness; and highly reflected on his services, as of no value and regard.

Which hath devoured thy living: given to his son; that part of his goods he had divided to him, Luke 15:12

with harlots; in rioting and drunkenness, in chambering and wantonness, in gluttony and debauchery:

thou hast killed for him the fatted calf; See Gill on Luke 15:23

Geneva Study Bible

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 15:30. οὗτος: contemptuous, this precious son of yours.—μετὰ πορνῶν: hard, merciless judgment; the worst said and in the coarsest way. How did he know? He did not know; had no information, jumped at conclusions. That the manner of his kind, who shirk work and go away to enjoy themselves.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

30. this thy son...which hath devoured thy living with harlots] Every syllable breathes rancour. He disowns all brotherhood; and says ‘came’ not ‘returned,’ and tries to wake his father’s anger by saying ‘thy living,’ and malignantly represents the conduct of his erring brother in the blackest light.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 15:30. Οὗτος, that son of thine) [Pointing to him contemptuously, as the Pharisee at the Publican]. See ch. Luke 18:11, where see the note.—ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον, who hath devoured thy living) The elder brother speaks invidiously.—ἦλθεν) He says, has come, speaking of him as he would of an alien: not, has returned.—αὐτῷ, for him) The Dativus commodi (Dative of advantage). [The elder brother means to say, for that profligate.—V. g.]

Luke 15:30

Vincent's Word Studies

This thy son

Not my brother, but with the bitterest sarcasm.

Was come (ἦλθεν)

He says came, as of a stranger. Not returned.

Devoured (καταφαγών)

We say "eat up;" the Greek said "eat down" (κατά). The word is suggested, no doubt, by the mention of the calf, the kid, and the feasting.