But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
But the father said. The son has not said all he purposed, but the explanation of this given Trench, etc., appears to us to miss the mark-that the father's demonstrations had rekindled the filial, and swallowed up all servile feeling. It is, in our judgment, rather because the father's heart is made to appear too full to listen at such a moment to more in this strain.
To his servants. We know who these represent, in all the three parables spoken on this occasion: they are "the angels of God" (Luke 15:7-10).
Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him. Compare Zechariah 3:4-5, "And He answered and spake unto those that stood by, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment ... And they clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by." See also Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 3:18.
And put a ring on his hand. Compare Genesis 41:42.
And shoes on his feet. Slaves went barefoot. Thus have we here a threefold symbol both of freedom and of honour as the fruit of perfect reconciliation.