What is the point of the three parables in Luke 15? Certainly, the return of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost prodigal son is significant. It is comforting to think that, if we somehow go astray, that we will be welcomed back. After all, our God is loving, gracious, and forgiving. Is that the point?
Pattern Analysis is the study of how units of biblical literature are organized and how they persuade. It applies consistently to the entire Bible. The structural organization can help understand the Holy Spirit's persuasions.
There are three parables in this literary unit, but there are four similar sequences: the sheep, the coin, the younger son, and the older son. Each of these four are organized into three parts, A, B, C:
This pattern of repetition is called a parallel symmetry: A-B-C-A′-B′-C′-A′′-B′′-C′′-A′′′-B′′′-C′′′. See Luke 15:1-32 for the full analysis. The last element is each sequence, in this case the four C elements, is often a point of persuasion. The joy of finding the lost sheep is akin to a sinner who repents. Likewise, the joy of finding the coin is like the sinner who repents. The return of the lost son is a picture of his repentance. I suggest that these three C elements add particular importance to the older son who did not repent. Instead, he was indignant and without grace.
For more information about Pattern Analysis, see Pattern Analysis Summary.
Pattern Analysis is the study of how units of biblical literature are organized and how they persuade. It applies consistently to the entire Bible. The structural organization can help understand the Holy Spirit's persuasions.
There are three parables in this literary unit, but there are four similar sequences: the sheep, the coin, the younger son, and the older son. Each of these four are organized into three parts, A, B, C:
- A – something was lost
- B – that something was resolved
- C – repentance and joy/celebration
This pattern of repetition is called a parallel symmetry: A-B-C-A′-B′-C′-A′′-B′′-C′′-A′′′-B′′′-C′′′. See Luke 15:1-32 for the full analysis. The last element is each sequence, in this case the four C elements, is often a point of persuasion. The joy of finding the lost sheep is akin to a sinner who repents. Likewise, the joy of finding the coin is like the sinner who repents. The return of the lost son is a picture of his repentance. I suggest that these three C elements add particular importance to the older son who did not repent. Instead, he was indignant and without grace.
For more information about Pattern Analysis, see Pattern Analysis Summary.
