15:12 Father, give me. This story, commonly called the “parable of the prodigal son,” really is more about his “prodigal father.” The word “prodigal” does not mean wayward or rebellious, but rather lavishly generous and extravagant. The son indeed was very wasteful of his inheritance, which his father had generously given him ahead of time. But this human father is a picture of our heavenly Father—both generous and forgiving and prodigal in His blessings when His children come back to Him. Note especially Psalm 103:10,13.

15:12 the portion of goods. Since the elder son commonly received a double inheritance, the portion allotted to the younger son was probably a third of his father’s wealth.

15:13 riotous living. The Greek word translated “riotous” is used only this once in the New Testament. It means “prodigal” or “wasteful;” hence the parable has become known a that of the “prodigal son.”