Doesn’t the ring on the finger of the prodigal son support the wearing of jewelry?

A vital principle of Bible study is to seek to understand the meaning and purpose behind a passage of Scripture. Using one verse to prove a point that was never intended does injustice to the Word of God. So we need to ask, “What is the message of this text?” Some have used this Scripture to justify the wearing of jewelry, but like all parables, this story teaches us about spiritual realities.

God is here represented as welcoming home one of His lost children. The prodigal “came to himself” (v. 17) and returns home to the heavenly Father. The welcome he received describes how God treats us when we return to Him.

There are three things the father does for his returning son. He puts the best robe on him (which implies his own robe), he puts a ring on his hand, and he puts sandals on his feet. The best robe is a beautiful illustration of how Christ covers us with His pure righteousness. We all come in filthy rags. Sandals were worn only by members of a household; servants couldn’t afford shoes. The Lord tells us here, “You are part of My family again.”

So what does a ring on the son’s finger mean? Did the father simply want his son to look nice? No. It meant much more. It was probably a signet ring, which represented the authority to transact business for the family. The level to which the father raised this prodigal son is astounding; it probably shocked the people who first heard Christ tell this story.

The ring had nothing to do with whether or not we should wear jewelry. It’s a stretch to use this text to support decorating our bodies with ornaments. It’s better for us to study all of what Scripture says about how God’s remnant people dress to prepare for Christ’s coming than to squeeze a questionable point out of this verse.

Key Bible Texts

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: (Luke 15:22 KJV)