35-01

tax collectors

The tax collectors were Jews who collected taxes for the Romans. The Jews hated them for that, and because they often collected higher taxes than the Romans required, keeping the difference for themselves.

35-02

religious leaders

This refers to the Jewish religious officials.

35-03

I want my inheritance now!

This was not normal. Sons received their inheritance when their fathers died.

divided his property

The father was extremely generous to divide his property while he was still alive. An older son always received twice as much inheritance as a younger son.

35-05

feeding pigs

The Law of Moses did not allow Jews to touch pigs. This was a shameful job for a Jewish man.

35-06

one of his servants

The younger son assumed that his father would not accept him as his son, but might let him be a servant.

35-07

He ran to his son

Older men did not run to meet people. The father was so excited to see his son that he ignored the culture and ran to kiss and hug his son.

35-08

I have sinned against God

The son had offended God, as well as his father by doing the things that he did (See: 35:03, 35:04).

I am not worthy to be your son

The younger son did not have time to ask to be a servant before his father interrupted him (See: 35:06).

35-09

Put a ring on his finger and put sandals on his feet

A ring, sandals, and a fine clothes were symbols that showed the son was a member of the family and not a servant.

kill the best calf

The Jews of that time often fed one of their calves special food so that it would be especially good to eat at a feast or other special occasion.

35-12

you did not give me even one small goat

A small goat was much less expensive than the best calf. The older brother was angry, and ignored the fact that his father had already given him twice the inheritance that he gave to the younger brother (See: 35:03).

this son of yours

The older son was so angry that he did not speak of the younger son as his own brother.

35-13

everything I have is yours

The father reminded his older son that he had already given him all of his possessions as an inheritance (See: 35:03).

your brother

The father reminds his older son that his sons are also brothers.

was dead, but now is alive

The younger son was so far away and separated from his family that it was as if he were dead. But now that he had returned, it was as if he were alive again (See: 35:09).