The “Older Son”

All's Well that Ends Well was the name of a play William Shakespeare published in 1603. It's a commonly repeated phrase, and it could have been used at the conclusion of the story of the younger son—if the account of the young man's life had ended in Luke 15:24. But eight verses follow. Someone was not happy over the turn of events just chronicled. The older son of the father came in from the field after his younger brother had returned. He heard music [Greek, sumphonia (symphony in English) and dancing [Greek, choros (chorus) (v. 25); so, he asked a servant, basically, "What gives?" (v. 26). The explanation involved reporting to him, "Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf" (v. 27).

How about that? Wouldn't it have been heartwarming if the older son had dropped everything and run into the house to give his brother a warm greeting? Then all would have ended well. But students of the Scriptures know that did not occur. Instead, "he was angry and would not go in" (v. 28a). Whoa! Did we miss something? Why was he angry? This is the word Paul used when he wrote, "Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Eph. 4:26). Yes, the word wrath, is related to the word anger. Had he been forced to do more work since his brother had left? Did he bear the burden of watching his father's sadness? Perhaps he grew angry because of the pain his father experienced, caused by his brother.

He will explain his reason shortly to his father, who has gone outside to plead with him to come in (Luke 15:28b). The father is concerned about both of his sons. He cared that his younger son returned—and that his older son was unhappy. The older son explains that his feelings are hurt. He had been both obedient and loyal to his father, but he never got such a lavish feast and the opportunity to make merry with all his friends (v. 29). By way of contrast, his other son left home (and the work that needed to be done) and devoured his father's accumulated wealth with harlots (v. 30). And this he celebrates? (This is the same Greek word Jesus used in condemning the scribes and the Pharisees for "devouring" widows' houses.)

Now, how did this brother find out about the harlots? Reports from messengers? Was he jealous of this fact—or just self-righteous? The father does what he can to explain the situation to his son. He does not contradict anything that he said, but he does point out that all his possessions belong to him—not the younger brother—but him (v. 31). Now he points out the most important fact in this whole matter—"your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found" (v. 32). He was not just down on his luck; he was D-E-A-D. He has returned from the dead. If rebirth cannot be celebrated, what can be?