1 1 . — [A certain man had two sons.l Of all the parables in the New TestameDt this is perhaps the most full and instructive. Of the three in this chapter it is far the most striking. The first parable concerns one sheep out of a hundred. The second concerns one piece of money out of ten. The one before us concerns one son out of two. We must not attach too much importance to these numbers. But it is interesting to observe them.
^ It is commoD to regard the "father" in this parable as the type of God the Father ; and the sons, as types of Jews and Gentfles. I cannot assent to this view respectiDg the father. As to the sons, I only remark, that it was not the primary idea in our Lord's mind.
I believe that the younger son was meant to be a type of all unconverted sinners, and that his return to his father s house was an emblem of true repentance. — ^I believe that thtf father's kind reception of his son was meant to represent the Lord Jesus Christ's Kiudness and love toward sinners who come to Him, and the free and full pardon which Ue bestows on them. — I believe that the elder son was meant to be a type of all narrow- minded self-righteous people in every age of the Church, and specially of the Scribes and Pharisees, who " murmured " at our Lord for receiving sinneis. These are what I believe to be the general lessons of the parable. So far I can go in interpreting it, but no further.
I may as well say here, once for all, that I am unable to see that the elder son represents the angels, — or that the " citizen," with whom the younger son took service, is the devil, — or the best robe, Christ's righteousness, — or the ring, assurance of pardon, — or the shoes, grace to walk with God, — or the servants, Christ's ministers, — or the fatted calf, the Lord's supper. All such interpretations are doubtless very ingenious, and are held by many. Maldonatus says wisely " they are uncertain."