As Luke says at the beginning (v 11), this story is about two sons. The heading in the CEV gets this right. So often it is referred to as the parable of the prodigal (i.e. wasteful) son, and the second half is ignored. Remember, Jesus is speaking to a mixed audience, tax collectors and sinners, on the one hand, and the religious elite on the other. So we’ll look at both brothers.

Everything about the younger son is despicable. What’s he thinking of, squandering his inheritance in this way?