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The Older Brother

The Older Brother

The Older Brother

Meet the Character

The older brother worked faithfully but resented the celebration for his sibling. The parable invites him—and its listeners—to make room for mercy.

God Jesus Holy Spirit Adam Eve Cain Abel Noah Shem Ham Japheth Nimrod Abraham Sarah Lot Isaac Rebekah Esau Jacob Laban Leah Rachel Joseph Potiphar Pharaoh of Joseph’s Time Judah Benjamin Jochebed Miriam Pharaoh’s Daughter Moses Aaron Pharaoh of the Exodus Joshua Gideon Joash, Gideon’s Father Naomi Ruth Orpah Boaz Hannah Eli Samuel Saul Jesse David Goliath Jonathan Michal Mephibosheth Absalom Joab Solomon Queen of Sheba Elijah Ahab Jezebel Widow of Zarephath Hazael Jehu Elisha Widow with the Oil Jonah Jeremiah Zedekiah Daniel Nebuchadnezzar Shadrach Meshach Abednego Belshazzar Darius Ezekiel Esther Mordecai Xerxes Haman Vashti Zechariah Elizabeth Gabriel Mary Joseph of Nazareth John the Baptist Bethlehem Shepherd Wise Traveler Herod the Great Simeon Anna Archelaus The Tempter Peter Andrew James, Son of Zebedee John the Apostle Philip Bartholomew Matthew Thomas James the Younger Simon the Zealot Thaddaeus Judas Iscariot Cana Servant Banquet Steward Cana Bridegroom Peter’s Mother-in-Law The Man Carried by Friends Helpful Friend Jairus Jairus’s Daughter The Woman Who Touched the Cloak The Boy with Loaves and Fish Capernaum Centurion The Centurion’s Servant The Man Who Could Hear Again Widow of Nain The Widow’s Son Simon the Pharisee The Woman with Perfume Zacchaeus Bartimaeus The Searching Shepherd The Welcoming Father The Returning Son The Older Brother The Forgiving King The Unforgiving Servant The Fellow Servant The Rich Man Lazarus in the Parable The Good Samaritan The Rescued Traveler The Priest in the Parable The Levite in the Parable The Innkeeper The Robber in the Parable The Teacher of the Law The Mother Bringing Children The Welcomed Child The Hired Shepherd The Samaritan Woman The Man with the Restored Hand Martha Mary of Bethany Lazarus of Bethany Caiaphas, the High Priest The High Priest’s Servant Pontius Pilate Barabbas The Courtyard Servant Girl Simon of Cyrene The Repentant Criminal The Other Criminal The Roman Soldier Joseph of Arimathea Nicodemus Mary Magdalene The Emmaus Disciple Angel Messenger Temple Teacher Bethlehem Host Upper-Room Host Early Believer The Opposing Religious Leader Caesar