Les Feldick teaches that the older brother represents the self-righteous Pharisees in Israel.
The older brother, like the Pharisees, saw himself as righteous and without need. His anger at the younger brother's welcome reflects the Pharisees' reaction to Jewish believers who accepted Christ. Les emphasizes that the older brother's self-righteousness prevented him from recognizing his own sin and need for the Father's grace.
Luke 15:25-30 — The parable of the prodigal son introduces the older brother, whose reaction reveals the self-righteous attitude Les identifies with the Pharisees.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the older brother is depicted as a son who remained with his father, served him faithfully, and never disobeyed his commandments (Luke 15:29). When the younger brother returns and is welcomed with a celebration, the older brother becomes angry and refuses to go in (Luke 15:28). He complains to his father, 'Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends' (Luke 15:29). The father responds by reminding him, 'Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine' (Luke 15:31). The Bible presents the older brother's self-righteousness and lack of compassion, contrasting with the father's mercy.
Les Feldick teaches that the older brother in the parable represents the self-righteous Pharisees in Israel. In his teaching, he draws parallels between the older brother's attitude and the Pharisees' reaction to believers who accepted Christ. Les notes that the older brother, like the Pharisees, considered himself righteous and without need, and his anger at the younger brother's reception mirrors the Pharisees' persecution of Jewish believers. He specifically points to Saul of Tarsus as an example of this mindset, as Saul (before becoming Paul) persecuted believers, thinking he was serving God. Les also emphasizes that the older brother's claim of faithful service reflects the Pharisaic confidence in personal merit, which stands in contrast to the younger brother's recognition of his destitution and need for the Father.
Les explains that the older brother's self-righteousness and anger when the younger brother was accepted mirror the Pharisees' reaction to Jewish believers who accepted Christ as Messiah. The Pharisees, like the older brother, thought they were righteous and had no need, and they were angered by those who recognized their need and returned to the Father. Les uses the example of Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted believers, thinking he was eliminating those who were wrong, as an illustration of this Pharisaic mindset.
Les uses the parable to show that the younger brother, after wasting his inheritance, realized he was destitute and could find sustenance only by returning to the father. In contrast, the older brother believed he had served faithfully and had never disobeyed, reflecting a confidence in personal merit. The point is that salvation cannot be entered through self-confidence; a person must come recognizing himself as a sinner. This contrast is central to understanding the older brother's representation of the self-righteous.
Prodigal Son and Self-Righteousness
Les explains the younger brother's destitution and how Jesus used parables to show the Jew their need for Him, setting the stage for the older brother's contrasting self-righteousness.
Ishmael vs. Isaac: The Allegory of Law and Grace Explained
That's what the Jewish believers from Jerusalem were now trying to convince the Gentile believers at Antioch. And then you come into verse 5 when Paul finally gets down to Jerusalem, and what he is, he's called on the carpet. I mean after all, they've brought him down like a heretic to bring him on the carpet before the church there at Jerusalem, and look what verse 5 says, "...
Why Israel Rejected Moses — And Then Rejected Christ
They kept that to the glass, jot and tittle. But they knew nothing of a spiritual circumcision. Alright, reading on. "...you do always resist the Holy Spirit, as your fathers did, so you do. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?" What's it a reference to? Oh, the Old Testament economy.
Self-Righteous Pharisees
Les describes the self-righteous Pharisees as having pomp and self-righteousness but hidden sins, which parallels the older brother's outward obedience mixed with inner sin.
Christ's Return to the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14 Explained.
These people who respond to the message of these 144,000 young Jews become believers, they minister to their physical need. But now look what happened to those who didn't care. The goats. Verse 41, "...then shall He say unto them on the left, Depart from Me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels for..." Now He goes through that same set of words. "...
Saul Persecuting Believers
Les details Saul of Tarsus's persecution of Jewish believers, showing the older brother's anger manifested in real persecution of believers.
Saul as a Religious Zealot
Les emphasizes Saul's religious zealotry for Judaism, illustrating the older brother's mindset of self-righteous confidence.
Why Israel Rejected Their Messiah — Acts 7 & Joseph Explained
Moreover, he kissed all his brethren, he wept upon them, and after that his brethren talked with him. What do you have? Well you have an emotional reunion. And I mean it was emotional. When after all these years they are finally brought back together. Well now, what's the analogy? Before you go back to Acts, on your way back up, stop at Zechariah. Zechariah.
Luke 15:28-29: And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.
These verses show the older brother's self-righteousness and anger, which Les uses to identify him with the Pharisees.
Luke 15:31-32: And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
The father's response highlights the older brother's lack of compassion, contrasting with the father's mercy.
Les Feldick teaches that the older brother represents the self-righteous Pharisees in Israel, who considered themselves righteous and had no need of the Father's grace.
The older brother was angry because he felt his faithful service was not honored, while his wayward brother was celebrated upon return. Les interprets this as reflecting the Pharisees' anger at believers who accepted Christ.
It signifies the Pharisaic confidence in personal merit, which Les contrasts with the younger brother's recognition of his own sinfulness and need for the Father.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About the Prodigal Son