Section 116
Parables in defense of association with sinners
Perhaps Perea
| Luke 15:1-32 |
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| 1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus to listen to him. 2But the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3So Jesus told them this parable: 4“What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6Then he returns home and calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ 7I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. 8“Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’ 10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 11Then he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of the two said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that will belong to me.’ So his father divided his assets between the two sons. 13A few days later, the younger son gathered together all that he had and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his property by living recklessly. 14When he had spent all that he had, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his belly with the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired workers have an abundance of bread, while I perish with hunger! 18I will arise, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son0x3B make me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20So he arose and went to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. So he ran to his son, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead but is now alive again0x3B he was lost but has now been found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants over and asked him what was happening. 27The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28But the older son was angry and would not go in. So his father came out and began pleading with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Behold, all these years I have served you and have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But it was proper to celebrate and rejoice, for your brother was dead but is now alive again0x3B he was lost but has now been found.’ ” |
Notes
Perea
Perea was the term used by the historian Flavius Josephus, and others, for a section of the territory east of The Jordan River, opposite Judea and Samaria. Although the word Perea is not found in the Scriptures, the area was mentioned frequently in the Gospels as the “land beyond the Jordan”. John the Baptist baptized in Perea, and was also martyred there at Herod’s fortress of Machaerus. Jesus Christ often visited Perea during His ministry, and had many followers from there, which at the time had a large Jewish population.
Jesus spent most of his final 3 months before Passion Week traveling around Perea, teaching in its towns and villages. Jesus had been in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22-39), and the Jews tried to stone him again. He escaped their grasp and went back across the Jordan into Perea for the final months before his crucifixion. During these months he taught his disciples about the cost of following him and he tried to prepare them for his coming death.
Today, most of Perea is in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.