The narrative meaning and function of the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11--32).

by Tyrell J. Alles

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is among the most familiar of Jesus' parables. The history of interpretation of this parable shows that it has been understood in many ways. This dissertation investigates the narrative meaning and function of the parable through a close reading of Luke 15:11-32 and then discusses the meaning and function of the parable within the wider narrative of the Gospel of Luke.;This parable is a secondary story within the primary narrative of Luke's Gospel. Jesus, the main character in the story world of Luke, narrates a story that has independent agents (a father and two sons), independent actions, and narratees (the Pharisees, scribes, tax collectors, and sinners). The parable has two parts (15:11-24 and 15:25-32), each dealing with one of the sons and the father. After the introduction of its characters in 15:11, the story of the younger son is told in 15:12-24 and then the story of the elder son in 15:25-32. The narrative of the younger son moves from conflict to resolution, whereas the narrative of the elder son ends in an unresolved conflict.;The immediate literary context of the parable shows Jesus' attempt, through storytelling and careful narrative progression, to deconstruct the moral certitude of the Pharisees and scribes. The storyteller builds the hope and self-esteem of the tax collectors and sinners and challenges the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes to examine their attitudes to sinners. Jesus corrects their understanding of God and challenges them to see God and themselves in a new relationship built upon compassion, forgiveness, and unconditional love.;This study shows how the parable gathers major Lukan themes into one story. The themes that emerge from this parable are: the conflict, salvation through repentance and the forgiveness of sins, God's fatherhood, mercy, and love, table fellowship, reversal, the proper use of wealth and possessions, and joy. The reader hears the parable at a structurally important point within the travel narrative and the larger narrative of the Gospel. The parable recapitulates and reviews these Lukan themes of the antecedent narrative and previews the development of these themes in the subsequent narrative. Thereby, it occupies an important position in Luke's narrative and fits tightly into the overall plot of his Gospel.

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