(32) It was meet that we should make merry.--The Greek expresses moral necessity rather than mere fitness. "We must needs rejoice;" it could not be otherwise. The repetition of the same words that had been used before, "he was dead . . ." is singularly-emphatic. This, and nothing more or less than this was the true account of the change that had passed over the wanderer; and this ought to be a source of joy to all his kindred. There is, perhaps, a touch of tenderness as well as reproof in the way in which the scornful "this thy son" is met by "this thy brother." The elder son had forgotten that fact, and had almost disclaimed his own sonship in his scorn for the offender.

15:25-32 In the latter part of this parable we have the character of the Pharisees, though not of them alone. It sets forth the kindness of the Lord, and the proud manner in which his gracious kindness is often received. The Jews, in general, showed the same spirit towards the converted Gentiles; and numbers in every age object to the gospel and its preachers, on the same ground. What must that temper be, which stirs up a man to despise and abhor those for whom the Saviour shed his precious blood, who are objects of the Father's choice, and temples of the Holy Ghost! This springs from pride, self-preference, and ignorance of a man's own heart. The mercy and grace of our God in Christ, shine almost as bright in his tender and gentle bearing with peevish saints, as his receiving prodigal sinners upon their repentance. It is the unspeakable happiness of all the children of God, who keep close to their Father's house, that they are, and shall be ever with him. Happy will it be for those who thankfully accept Christ's invitation.It was meet that we should make merry,.... Both father, son, and servants; See Gill on Luke 15:23, Luke 15:24 and this elder brother also, because of the relation he stood in to him: and if he had had the same spiritual affection the apostle had for his brethren and kinsmen, according to the flesh, Romans 9:3 and he would have rejoiced at the conversion and return of sinners by repentance:

and be glad; as his father was, and the angels in heaven be; see Luke 15:10

for this thy brother, though he would not own him as such,

was dead, and is alive again, and was lost, and is found:, Luke 15:24 and so the parable is concluded, the elder brother being silenced, and having nothing to say against such strong reasoning.