what are some symbols in the parable of the prodigal son ?

Question

school project! help!!!

Answer 1

The Father is God the Father,The Prodigal represents the people who go into a backsliden existence and then repent and come back to God.God doesn't reject them,He welcomes them back.The other brother represents the religious Jews(of the time)who were going thru the rituals but their heart really wasn't in it,and they were jealous and excluded anyone who didn't measure up to their man made standards.It was sort of an example of how Jesus would eat and drink with "sinners"(the jewish leaders would say)and they would repent of their ways and come back to God.But the Jewish leaders had this idea that they were lost and not worth the effort,to which Jesus said,"The angels of heaven rejoice when one sinner repents"

Answer 2

younger one represents -- selfishness, seperation from God,
His life after money was spent is our life without God. We are down there wallowing with the swine.

Story as a whole shows the nature of repentance and God's willingness to welcome us back with rejoicing.

The elder son was very angry becasue he had done the "works" and there was no "party' for him.

This is just the tip of the parable. There are many other deeper meanings and messages that could parallel it.

Answer 3

To add a couple of things to Rod C's answer, the robe the father puts on the son is the grace of God that is restored to him when he repents and turns back to God. The ring placed on his finger is a sign of a covenant or relationship (like a wedding ring), also showing that he is now restored to a relationship with God.

The rich man in the foreign country to whom the son places himself in service (before returning to his father) is the prince of this world, who is the devil.

Answer 4

I would like to give you an answer from MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE. However, the answer would be very long to copy and paste here. if you have an access to the mentioned book, you can look it up. or you could e-mail me ([e-mail]) and i would be happy to e-mail you a copy. good day!