Cultural Insights ~ Luke 15.20-24 ~ Answers
Gleaned from Kenneth Bailey by Lee Magness
Cultural Insights into Luke 15.20-24
1) How would a Palestinian father have been expected to respond to this son's return?
Insight ~ The father would have remained in the house, isolated from this son who had shamed him. He would
have let the kezazah take effect and force his son to wait outside at the gate for days. Eventually he might
cooly receive the son and entertain his pleas for forgiveness.
2) What is the significance of the Greek word translated "compassion" and its Arabic counterpart?
Insight ~ The Greek word refers to a deep emotional feeling in one's intestines; the common Arabic expression
for "you're breaking my heart" literally means "you're cutting up my intestines."
3) What is unusual about the father "running" to greet his son?
Insight ~ In Palestinian society adult males (over 25) never run; to do so would be shameful behavior.
4) What was the cultural significance of...
a) ...the robe?
Insight ~ The best robe would have been the father's own finest garment, signifying his relationship with the
father.
b) ...the ring?
Insight ~ The ring would have been the family signet ring, signifying his restoration to his role in the family.
c) ...the sandals?
Insight ~ Since slaves went barefoot, the sandals signified his restoration to his status in the community.
d) ...the fattened calf?
Insight ~ A grain-fed calf would have been kept for the occasion of the visit of an honored guest.
5) What were slaves doing at the reunion? How public an event would this have been?
Insight ~ Even landowners had their houses in the town. Household servant, in fact many townspeople, would
have witnessed this whole amazing scene.
6) Who is the "they" that were expected to "celebrate"?
Insight ~ All the townspeople were expected to join in the celebration, treating the son as they would treat the
father, and in effect forego the kezazah.
1) How would a Palestinian father have been expected to respond to this son's return?
Insight ~ The father would have remained in the house, isolated from this son who had shamed him. He would
have let the kezazah take effect and force his son to wait outside at the gate for days. Eventually he might
cooly receive the son and entertain his pleas for forgiveness.
2) What is the significance of the Greek word translated "compassion" and its Arabic counterpart?
Insight ~ The Greek word refers to a deep emotional feeling in one's intestines; the common Arabic expression
for "you're breaking my heart" literally means "you're cutting up my intestines."
3) What is unusual about the father "running" to greet his son?
Insight ~ In Palestinian society adult males (over 25) never run; to do so would be shameful behavior.
4) What was the cultural significance of...
a) ...the robe?
Insight ~ The best robe would have been the father's own finest garment, signifying his relationship with the
father.
b) ...the ring?
Insight ~ The ring would have been the family signet ring, signifying his restoration to his role in the family.
c) ...the sandals?
Insight ~ Since slaves went barefoot, the sandals signified his restoration to his status in the community.
d) ...the fattened calf?
Insight ~ A grain-fed calf would have been kept for the occasion of the visit of an honored guest.
5) What were slaves doing at the reunion? How public an event would this have been?
Insight ~ Even landowners had their houses in the town. Household servant, in fact many townspeople, would
have witnessed this whole amazing scene.
6) Who is the "they" that were expected to "celebrate"?
Insight ~ All the townspeople were expected to join in the celebration, treating the son as they would treat the
father, and in effect forego the kezazah.
