¹ tn Grk “And bring.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

² tn Or “the prize calf” (L&N 65.8). See also L&N 44.2, “grain-fattened.” Such a calf was usually reserved for religious celebrations.

³ tn The participle φαγόντες (fagontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

⁴ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the sequence of events in the parable. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.

⁵ tn Grk “but answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “but he answered.”

⁶ tn Or simply, “have served,” but in the emotional context of the older son’s outburst the translation given is closer to the point.

⁷ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to bring out the contrast indicated by the context.

⁸ sn You never gave me even a goat. The older son’s complaint was that the generous treatment of the younger son was not fair: “I can’t get even a little celebration with a basic food staple like a goat!”

⁹ tn Or “necessary.”

¹⁰ sn By referring to him as your brother, the father reminded the older brother that the younger brother was part of the family.

¹¹ 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.