It was meet that we should make merry,.... Both father, son, and servants; See Gill on Luk 15:23, Luk 15:24 and this elder brother also, because of the relation he stood in to him: and if he had had the same spiritual affection the apostle had for his brethren and kinsmen, according to the flesh, Rom 9:3 and he would have rejoiced at the conversion and return of sinners by repentance: and be glad; as his father was, and the angels in heaven be; see Luk 15:10 for this thy brother, though he would not own him as such, was dead, and is alive again, and was lost, and is found:, Luk 15:24 and so the parable is concluded, the elder brother being silenced, and having nothing to say against such strong reasoning. Next: Luke Chapter 16