A man has two sons. The younger asks his father for the share of the property that will belong to him. The father divides his assets, and soon afterward the younger son leaves for a distant country.

There he wastes his wealth in reckless living. When the money is gone, a severe famine strikes. He hires himself out to feed pigs and becomes so hungry that he longs for their food.

The son comes to himself and remembers that his father’s hired workers have more than enough bread. He plans a confession: he has sinned against heaven and against his father and is no longer worthy to be called a son. He will ask to be treated as a hired servant.

While he is still far away, his father sees him and is moved with compassion. The father runs to him, embraces him, and kisses him. The son begins his confession, but before he can complete the proposed request for hired status, the father orders servants to bring the best robe, a ring, sandals, and a feast.

The reason for celebration is expressed in terms of recovery: this son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

The older son returns from the field and hears music. When he learns what has happened, he becomes angry and refuses to enter. The father comes out to him as well.

The older brother protests that he has served faithfully without receiving such a celebration, while the younger son has wasted the father’s property. The father assures him that he is always with him and that what the father has is his. Yet celebration is fitting because the brother who was lost has returned.

The parable ends there. Jesus does not tell whether the older brother goes inside. The unresolved ending leaves the audience facing the same question raised at the beginning of Luke 15: how will they respond to the joy of receiving those who were lost?