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A Tale of Two Sons: The Inside Story of a Father, His Sons, and a Shocking Murder

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The story of the Prodigal Son is undoubtedly among the best-known and most highly-favored tales of all time. Even those who do not know the story itself are familiar with its outline or some of the words and phrases that arose from its King James translation. A powerful and heart-rending story, it is unforgettable to all who hear it. John MacArthur, with no hyperbole, says it is "hands down, the greatest five minutes of storytelling ever." His most recent book, A Tale of Two Sons, is an examination of this, Jesus' most memorable and most powerful parable.

Though most people know something of this parable, very few really understand it. We see this even in the name assigned to it--the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The story, after all, was not meant to be primarily a feel-good tale of a father's love for his son, though certainly it is that, too. Rather, "it is a powerful wake-up call with a very earnest warning." The purpose of the parable, as Jesus delivered it, centered on the elder brother--the very character who is so often overlooked in popular re-tellings of the tale.

In the book's opening chapter MacArthur makes clear the central and culminating lesson of the parable: "Jesus is pointing out the stark contrast between God's own delight in the redemption of sinners and the Pharisees' inflexible hostility toward those same sinners." Though the younger son is important to the story, his redemption is not the main point. Rather, this parable is to serve as "a mirror for every human heart and conscience" that will reflect either God's love for fallen sinners or a human hardness and arrogance that would deny that such hardened sinners could ever know His love.

A Tale of Two Sons is classic John MacArthur. If you have read his other books, you'll know what to expect here. It is consistent, methodical exposition of the passage and one that never misses an opportunity to provoke application. It looks to the past to provide historical context and setting that explain many of the story's elements that would otherwise be obscure to people reading 2,000 years later. The book looks first at the parable in its context and then at the story through a wide lens. It then turns to the younger brother, to the father, and finally to the elder brother. It concludes with an Epilogue that describes the shocking real-life ending to this parable--the very conclusion that is so often overlooked in modern adaptations and explanations of the story. Though the story itself has an open ending and Jesus never told whether or not the elder brother repented and discovered the joy of his father, the wider biblical context makes the ending clear. The elder brother, represented by the Pharisees, was hardened in his sin and turned on his father (who represents Christ). The son, in his unrepentant hardness, put the father to death. It is a tragic and sobering ending.

This book is a fine examination of the tale and an powerful explanation of its importance to each of us today. It is suitable for any reader--believer or skeptic, laity or clergy. Read it and you will be blessed!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most well-known of Jesus' parables. However, a lot of the theological depth of the parable goes undiscovered as preachers assume the lesson ends with the return of the younger son. MacArthur brings the full meaning of this important parable to light by showing the two-possible ways someone can be apart from a love-relationship with the Father. Excellent material.

It is doubtful that many would argue that a large emphasis within the mission of disciples of Christ is to put the truth of Scripture before ourselves and others that God would be glorified. This is fundamental to who we are as Christians. However, within this lifelong mission, we too often become familiar with the narratives and have a functional understanding of the text and so we move on without true life transformation. John MacArthur endeavors to change that. In his newest book, A Tale of Two Sons, MacArthur unpacks the parable of the prodigal son in the pattern of clear, biblical, convicting teaching that many of us have come to love from his ministry.

I appreciate the `angle' that they took in writing and publishing this book. The whole feel of the book comes across as a story. Everything from the font on the cover, the image of a burly figure, to the subtitle of (The inside story of a Father, His Sons, and a Shocking Murder), all reflect the type of drama we would expect in a masterful story. And it is helpful to remember that this is, after all, a story told by Jesus himself, to communicate spiritual truth.

The book is broken neatly into four main parts:

The Parable, which provides a wide-angeled preview;

The Prodigal, which deals with the rebellious son

The Father, which obviously deals with the gracious and forgiving father

The Elder Brother, which identifies his own rebellious heart

The basic summary of the book and the parable is that the prodigal son is the rebellious sinner who has squandered the good gifts of God and in his own heart truly wished death upon God. The elder brother is identified as the Pharisees who, while staying close to the Father outwardly, were actually inwardly themselves in a distant land. The Father, of course, is God. Who loves his children and rejoices in their salvation. Nowhere is this more picturesque than in the description of the Father, with his robe hiked up, ankles exposed, without regard for shame, is seen pursuing and welcoming his estranged son.

"The Prodigal had come home prepared to kiss his Father's feet. Instead, the father was kissing the Prodigal's pig-stinking head. Such an embrace with repeated kisses was a gesture that signified not only the Father's delirious joy but also his full acceptance, friendship, love, forgiveness, restoration, and total reconciliation."

One of the strengths of this book is its historical and cultural detail. MacArthur blends many hours in the study reading with what appears to be many hours in the text meditating upon its truth. What results is really the aim of expository preaching, a wonderful blend of historical, cultural understanding, armed with the powerful truth of the Scripture, through the medium of a man of God who has been utterly transformed by it. From this perspective, A Tale of Two Sons is a gem.

I would love to comment about the way the book ended, however, it is not the typical way in which a teaching on this verses is punctuated. Instead, I'll save the ending for you and commend the book to you. This book is heart-stirring, pride-humbling, Pharisee-exposing, and Christ-exalting. You will no doubt be blessed in reading it.

John MacArthur's book/sermon series on the Prodigal Son called, "A Tale of Two Sons" was very well done. MacArthur, from what I know, does not actually write any of his books for the purpose of being a book, but they are all taken from his sermons and study notes on the subject. Which most pastors do these days as they really don't have time to actually write books since they are studying all week for their sermons and doing other pastoral duties. Not a bad thing, just some insight.

I wasn't sure how I would like this book as I figured that I knew "what there was to know" about this parable found in the book of Luke. Let's just say that I was overwhelmingly humbled in my knowledge.

MacArthur masterfully goes through the parable to give you insights to the culture, history and textual criticism to give the reader the understanding of exactly what was going on throughout this parable.

He breaks down the parable in three parts because that is how the parable is focused in on as Christ told it. The three parts are: The prodigal son, the father and the eldest son.

At points throughout this book I believe that MacArthur does look to much into things and takes them as fact, when in actuality the text is silent on the issue so there is no way of knowing. But, this is overshadowed of his brilliant look to the Scripture and the culture to give you a taste of what it must have been like to be standing there as a hearer of Christ.

He teaches you as though you were standing there as either a mere onlooker or a Pharisee and gives you the responses that must have been going through each one's head. I actually think this is the main reason that this makes this book truly well worth the read.

Overall, MacArthur does a great job handling the text and culture to make sure that you really glean as much as you can with this parable, with the focus being on the joy in heaven when even one man repents.

The shocker comes in the end, when MacArthur gives you the last part of the parable that was left out of the Bible for "us to decide." MacArthur gives it straight on how the parable actually ended and it is an ending that truly made this book stand alone as a great understanding of the parable and what it meant for prophecy and the Pharisees. But, I will let you read that for yourself. Recommended

After reading the reviews of this book on Amazon.com, I realized it was going to be another controversial book by John MacArthur. He really touched a few sore spots with a handful of readers who responded very emotionally, and sometimes attacked MacArthur instead of reviewing his book. Not a fair approach.

With this in mind, I decided to use a few other good books that covered the Parable of the Prodigal Son while I read MacArthur's book. Though this was valuable, I found out after reading MacArthur's book his study was very straightforward and didn't rely on unusual source material, nor did he embrace unsupportable conclusions. In fact, I found his viewpoint (Directing parable at those self-righteous Scribes & Pharisees, tax collectors & sinners standing there listening) very sound and didn't come off as way out (Unlike it did to a few of the other reviewers) and the background information MacArthur used to setup and periodically support his study was not only helpful, but was very good material. MacArthur used an excellent book by Kenneth E. Bailey for his historical and cultural information - If you are interested, that book can sometimes be difficult to find in good condition and is not inexpensive -- highly recommended though.

MacArthur breaks his study into 5 parts, which is useful and certainly helps build some suspense toward his uncommon conclusions. No, I'm not going to give them away here. You will have to read the book yourself. Overall, he does a very good job on this parable and, as with most of MacArthur's books, is guaranteed to make you stop and think, and even pick up your Bible to verify the text. I fear some reviewers gave up on the book and put it down before finishing it,though they went ahead and published a half-baked review anyway. Whether or not you agree with all of MacArthur's details and conclusions, don't give up. Keep reading and thinking, and try to put yourself in the parable. Take the time to evaluate the listeners to the parable, as well as the parable's characters. You won't regret it.

I strongly recommend MacArthur's book, but did find two weak areas worth noting:

First, the book is a paper version of an extensive series of studies MacArthur taught at Grace Community Church. Even with the obvious editorial effort put into this book, it comes off very repetitious in a number of places, which makes the book seem like it has a lot of filler, stretching the text to a book-length study.

Second, MacArthur takes an unusually large number of liberties with the text in this study. Though none of them equate to the "damnable heresies" some reviewers would like you to believe, it was a little frustrating, and certainly unnecessary. The book is a very worthwhile study, even with MacArthur's periodic adventures into the unknowable.

I liked MacArthur's book "A Tale of Two Sons" very much and found it a worthy additional to anyone's library. It would lend itself well as a small group study or a series of Sunday School -- Church School studies. Good evangelistic material.

MacArthur's book, "A Tale of Two Sons" is a marveloous work offering insight into an often cited but rarely fully comprehended parable. He breaks the book into four parts, an excellent overview, great insight into the Prodigal son, who resembles most of us at some times, excellent insight into the father, which unfortunately does not go far enough in the insights available to orthodox theology, and insight into the older son, who resembles many of us at too many times.

I can strongly recommend this book for any who wish to gain insight into the human condition and the only way out. It can make for uncomfortable feelings though for any who are honest with themselves regarding the choices and actions that we all make and do.

John MacArthur's analysis of the Parable of the Prodigal Son is thorough and thoughtful. What is best about it is how he brings out the culture of the society in which Jesus lived (and told this story) and connecting elements of this parable to that culture; this enriches the parable with extra meaning for the modern reader. MacArthur's analysis is thorough, as he analyzes every facet of the parable to the nth degree. And while I disagree -- or, at least, am not totally convinced -- with his interpretation on some points (he tends to get a bit carried away with his own speculation and conjecture), still what he says is good food for thought. I am particularly intrigued by how he shows that Jesus' main point in this parable was actually not the prodigal son but was really the older son. In all my life, in every preaching or telling of this parable that I have heard, the emphasis is always on the prodigal. The last portion of the story dealing with the older son is always mentioned, but then the focus is turned back to the prodigal. MacArthur's contention that the attitude of the older son was as much the point of the story as the restoration of the younger son is both novel and convincing.

In spite of some quibbles I have with MacArthur's interpretation, I highly recommend this book.

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MacArthur gives us the cultural context and implications of the story by taking this ancient bible parable and breaking it down into four sections. The four parts of the book are as follows: The Parable, The Prodigal, The Father, and The Elder Brother. After The Parable, MacArthur shows how Jesus used the three key characters of the parable to teach the audience (full of sinners and Pharisees) a crucial lesson on sin, repentance, forgiveness, and contempt.

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John Macarthur does a wonderful job of breaking down what many believe to be the greatest short story ever told - The Prodigal Son. However, Macarthur shows how the story deals with much more than typically meets the eye. The story was directed towards the Pharisees, the hypocritical religious leaders of the day, who hated Jesus. As you read this book, you see the Father's radical love for his sons, despite their rebellion toward him. This is a picture of the love Jesus has for all men and the desire He has to redeem them through repentance and faith in Him. You also see repentance clearly demonstrated in the life of the younger son and how sin brought him to the end of himself. The younger son is a picture of the publicans and harlots of Jesus' day. But, more importantly, you see the quiet rebellion of the older son, who pictures the hypocritical Pharisees, both of Jesus' day and the current time we live in.

This book is well written, and like all other Macarthur books, it is deeply researched. You will gain new insights to this wonderful story and your heart will be touched by the unconditional love of Jesus. This book rips apart the hypocritical spirit that plagues the church today and turns sinners away from the Gospel of grace.

It will be worth every penny you spend and time you invest to read this timely book.

As another reviewer stated, this parable has always been one of the most well-known; I felt I had heard or read enough to understand the parables in Luke 15 fairly well. However, I made the choice to read this book to see if Dr. MacArthur had additional insight as his 'Gospel According to Jesus' had encouraged me to dig much deeper into God's Word. Therefore, I purchased this book having high expectations of a more in-depth learning experience; this book most certainly did not disappoint. Members of my Bible study group wanted to know more after I shared some of the book's insights with them. They purchased, read, and as I did, learned much about the culture of Jesus day; our own shortcomings and failures; and the mercy and grace of a loving and forgiving Heavenly Father. This will be a book I willingly share with (or gift to) my friends and family.