Prodigal Son (Part 2) Typology

Relevant Bible Verses

Luke 15:11-32

In the Prodigal Son Part 1 we discussed on the extent of God's love for the people of this world through our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. We are going to expound on the typology and symbolism of events/things in this parable. Most of the notes below are extracted from the Recovery Version Bible.

1) Luke 15:15 -"....to feed hogs."
Hogs are considered unclean (Lev 11:7). So to feed hogs is a dirty job, it signifies the unclean business of this satanic world.

2) Luke 15:17 - "But when he came to himself...."
This was due to the enlighthening and works of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. The conviction within us that makes us realise we have to come back to God.

3) Luke 15:18 - "I will rise up and go to my father...."
The conviction, the works of the Holy Spirit within us causes us to turn to God.

4) Luke 15:19 - "I no longer worthy.... ran and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately."
The son did not know the father's love for him and that was why he said, "I no longer worthy". Sometimes we feel the same and not knowing how great God's unconditional love is for us. In effect, the father did not even think of the son's unworthiness but instead was only longing to see the son's return.

5) Luke 15:22 - "...the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet."
The word "the" is to identify a specific item. Thus, by saying "the robe" in this verse, it indicates that a particular robe has already been prepared for this particular purpose at this particular time.
"robe" here signify Christ the Son of God being the satisfying righteousness to cover the penitent sinner.
Puting a "ring" on the hand in this instant signifies the sealing of the Holy Spirit promised by God upon the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. (Eph 1:13).
"sandals" signify the power of God's salvation to separate the believers from the dirty earth. Both the ring and the sandals were signs of a free man. The adornment, consisting of the robe on the body, the ring on the hand, and the sandals on the feet, allowed the poor prodigal to match his rich father and qualified him to enter the father's house and feast with the father. God's full salvation adorns us with Christ and the life giving Spirit that we may enjoy the riches in His house.

6) Luke 15:24 - "...was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found..."
All lost sinners are dead in the eyes of God (Eph 2:1,5). When they are saved, they are made alive (John 2:24-25; Col 2:13)

7) Luke 15:23 - "...fattened calf; slaughter it, and let us eat and be merry."
"fattened" signifies the unsearchable riches (Eph 3:8) supply of God's grace (Christ), killing on the cross for the believer's enjoyment. God's salvation has two aspects: the outward, objective aspect, signified by the best robe, and the inward aspect, subjective aspect, signified by the fattened calf - needed to be killed and consumed. Christ as our righteousness is our salvation outwardly; Christ as our life for our enjoyment is our salvation inwardly. The best robe enabled the prodigal son to meet the father's requirements and satisfy this father, and the fattened calf satisfied the son's hunger. Hence, the father and the son could be merry together.

8) Luke 15:25 - "...his older son was in the field..."
The word "older" signifies the Pharisees and scibes representing the unbelieving Jews, who pursue the law of righteousness (Rom 9:31-32) by work, signified by in the field. We ought to instead be pursuing righteousness by faith.

God bless you.