John Calvin Commentary Luke 15:11

"And he said, A certain man had two sons:" — Luke 15:11 (ASV)

This parable is nothing other than a confirmation of the preceding doctrine.⁵²⁰

In the first part is shown how readily God is disposed to pardon our sins, and in the second part (which we will address later in its proper place) is shown the great wickedness and stubbornness of those who complain about His compassion.

Through the figure of a young prodigal, who, after being reduced to the deepest poverty by luxury and extravagance, returns pleading to his father,⁵²¹ to whom he had been disobedient and rebellious, Christ describes all sinners who, tired of their foolishness, turn to the grace of God.

Conversely, Christ compares God to the kind father,⁵²² who not only pardons his son’s offenses but also willingly goes to meet him as he returns. God, in this comparison, is not satisfied with merely pardoning those who pray to Him, but even goes forward to meet them with a father's compassion.⁵²³

Let us now examine the parable in detail.

⁵²⁰ “De la doctrine que nous venons de voir;” — “of the doctrine which we have just now seen.”;” — “of the doctrine which we have just now seen.”

⁵²¹ “Retourne pour demander pardon a son pere;” — “returns to ask pardon from his father.”;” — “returns to ask pardon from his father.”

⁵²² “Aussi en la personne de ce bon pere il nous propose l’affection de Dieu;” — “also in the person of this good father he holds out to us the affection of God.”;” — “also in the person of this good father he holds out to us the affection of God.”

⁵²³ “Mais les previent par sa bonte et misericorde paternelle;” — “but anticipates them by his fatherly goodness and compassion.”;” — “but anticipates them by his fatherly goodness and compassion.”