Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 15:25

"Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing." — Luke 15:25 (ASV)

And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

Which he did not often hear, for he was of a gloomy spirit, and there had not been cause for much rejoicing lately.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

This was the better one of the two. I have heard him often greatly blamed, and so he deserves to be; but, for all that, he was a true son. He was not at home. He was out at work. There are some Christians that are all for work, and never seem to have any fellowship and communion. They are always active, but they are not always contemplative. He was in the field.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

The elder brother in our day says, "I do not believe in these revival services. I like regular, orderly proceedings, and I do not approve of these crowds of people coming to hear the Word under such undue excitement as is sure to result." That elder brother thought he knew a great many things. He did not get carried away by excitement, as other people did. He was too old for that. He was a man of very proper habits, and he liked everything done in a cold orthodox style.