Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 15:30

"but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf." — Luke 15:30 (ASV)

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

He has been a great sinner, and he is newly converted, and he has got all the joy. He has been running anyhow, and yet he is full of assurance, full of delight, full of confidence. How can this be?

I am a staid Christian having only slight joy, and he is only newly converted, and confident and full of delight. You have killed for him the fatted calf. Even one of the little kid goats you have not given me. You have given him the fatted calf.

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

I do not read that the prodigal had devoured his father's living with harlots; that is the elder brother's version of it. I dare say it was true, but it is always a pity to give the roughest interpretation to things. He had spent his substance "in riotous living." When we are cross, we generally use the ugliest words we can; we may think that we are speaking forcibly, but indeed we are speaking sinfully, and not as our Father would have us speak.