The Younger Son and Elder Son in Luke Chapter 15 VS Mary and Martha in Luke Chapter 10

 

The Younger Son and Elder Son in Luke Chapter 15 VS Mary and Martha in Luke Chapter 10

 

15:21 The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

15:22 But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.

15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

15:28 The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

15:29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

 

Aspect	Younger and Elder Sons (Luke 15)	Mary and Martha (Luke 10)
Typology	Two different types of believers or people	Two different attitudes towards faith and lifestyles
Significance	Demonstrates God's love and acceptance for all, whether lost or self-righteous	Emphasizes the importance of balancing action and spiritual contemplation in faith life
Explanation	Younger son represents repentant sinners, elder son represents self-righteous people	Martha represents busy service, Mary represents focused listening to the Lord's words
Example	Younger son repents after wasting his inheritance; elder son refuses to join the celebration	Martha is busy with hospitality; Mary sits at Jesus' feet listening to His teaching
Application	Encourages believers to reflect on whether they need to repent like the younger son or learn forgiveness and acceptance like the elder son	Reminds believers to balance service and spiritual nurture, cherishing time spent close to the Lord
Related Scripture	Luke 15:11-32	Luke 10:38-42

 

This table provides a concise comparison of the two parables.

*Please refer to the 2024 Summer Live Training - Experiencing, Enjoying, and Expressing Christ (1)

Message Five: Enjoying Christ as the Reality of the New Testament Jubilee