“Thus,
The prodigal son
Set off.
He went
To his father.
But while he was
Still far off,
His father saw him.
He was filled
With compassion.
He ran to him.
He put his arms
Around him.
He kissed him.”
καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα ἑαυτοῦ. ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη, καὶ δραμὼν ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν.
This long parable story about the prodigal son can only be found in Luke, not in any of the other gospel stories. Luke indicated that Jesus said that this prodigal son set off to go to his father (καὶ ἀναστὰς ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα ἑαυτοῦ). While he was still far away (ἔτι δὲ αὐτοῦ μακρὰν ἀπέχοντος), his father saw him (εἶδεν αὐτὸν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ). He was filled with compassion (καὶ ἐσπλαγχνίσθη). He ran to him (καὶ δραμὼν). He put his arms around him or fell upon his neck (ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ) and he kissed him (καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν). In case there was any doubt, the father was going to accept the prodigal sinning son without any conditions. There was not even an “I’m sorry!” from the son. This compassionate father ran out to embrace him before he even got close to their house. Obviously, he was out in the fields working. Do you feel closer to the wasteful repentant prodigal son or the compassionate forgiving father?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 