v1-2 Intro: A parable is a story, but the people are real. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

v11-16 The rebellious son who rejects the father and walks far away

v17-24 The loving father who runs towards his returning son

v25-32 The self-righteous son who rejects the father and remains just

outside