1 tn Grk “And coming into his…” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
2 sn A touch of drama may be present, as the term calls together can mean a formal celebration (1 Kgs 1:9-10).
3 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215). It occurs before “neighbors” as well (“his friends and his neighbors”) but has not been translated the second time because of English style.
4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
5 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
6 sn Rejoice. Besides the theme of pursuing the lost, the other theme of the parable is the joy of finding them.
7 tn Grk “drachma.”
8 sn This statement links the parable to the theme of 15:6, 9.
9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the father’s remarks in the preceding verses.
10 tn Or “necessary.”
11 sn By referring to him as your brother, the father reminded the older brother that the younger brother was part of the family.
12 sn The theme he was lost and is found is repeated from v. 24. The conclusion is open-ended. The reader is left to ponder with the older son (who pictures the scribes and Pharisees) what the response will be. The parable does not reveal the ultimate response of the older brother. Jesus argued that sinners should be pursued and received back warmly when they returned.