October 20, 2022 – Thursday
Luke 15:11-12 NIV
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
Comment
Jesus had just told two parables, one of the lost sheep, verses 3-7, and one of a lost coin, verses 8-10. In our verses for today, 11-12, Jesus begins a new parable beginning with A man had two sons. Most of us know this parable or story with one of the following titles inserted above the verses 11-32:
The Prodigal Son (AMP, NASB)
The Parable of the Lost Son (CSB, HCSB, LEB, NIV, NKJV, NLT)
Two Sons (CEV)
The Prodigal Son: The Father Rejoices When His Lost Son Returns (DLNT)
The Lost Son (EHV, GW, GNT, NOG)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (ESV, MEV)
The Son Who left Home (EXB, NCV)
The Story of the Loving Father (ISV)
The Parable of the Compassionate Father (NET)
The Story of the Lost Son (NIRV)
The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother (NRSVA, NRS)
The Parable of the Prodigal: The Father and The Younger Son (NTE)
I would like to challenge you to read verses 11-32 and then relook at this list and decide which title you consider to be the most appropriate. My choice? The Parable of the Compassionate Father from the New English Translation with The Story of the Loving Father in the International Standard Versions a close second. After reading through verses 11-32, you may wish to return to verses seven and ten and note the similarity to help in making your choice as I believe they provide the context for this story or parable.
However, please know the headings or titles above are not scriptural, but added to help the reader find subject areas or provide what someone thought would be a valid description. More tomorrow on this story/parable.
Bottom Line: Consider headings carefully for context always knowing they are not scriptural, in the original.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for those who would provide headings for us to make Your word easier to grasp or understand. At the same time thank You for the gift of discernment to consider the validity of said headers. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek