A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 15:20

"And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." — Luke 15:20 (ASV)

To his father (προς τον πατερα εαυτου). Literally, to his own father. He acted at once on his decision.

Yet afar off (ετ αυτου μακραν απεχοντος). Genitive absolute. Μακραν agrees with οδον understood: While he was yet holding off a distant way. This shows that the father had been looking for him to come back and was even looking at this very moment as he came in sight.

Ran (δραμων). Second aorist active participle of the defective verb τρεχω. The eager look and longing of the father.

Kissed (κατεφιλησεν). Note perfective use of κατα kissed him much, kissed him again and again. The verb occurs so in the older Greek.