I think they could be both the same son just at different stages. the "grateful" bastard son would be the one who left and came back shamed. If you recall, the older son couldn't believe what his father was doing. The son who should have been disowned by his father for what he did would be the most grateful when he is welcomed back in such a way. Like how he who is forgiven of the greater debt is more grateful. The rich and spoiled one was that same son before he returned broken to his father. Either that, or the one who didn't leave. He wasn't nice and kind- he was angry that his father was rewarding his brother when he had done so many things for daddy, and why didn't he get even a small goat to celebrate with his friends? The older brother would be the rich, ungrateful, and spoiled one.
I think they could be both the same son just at different stages. the "grateful" bastard son would be the one who left and came back shamed. If you recall, the older son couldn't believe what his father was doing. The son who should have been disowned by his father for what he did would be the most grateful when he is welcomed back in such a way. Like how he who is forgiven of the greater debt is more grateful. The rich and spoiled one was that same son before he returned broken to his father. Either that, or the one who didn't leave. He wasn't nice and kind- he was angry that his father was rewarding his brother when he had done so many things for daddy, and why didn't he get even a small goat to celebrate with his friends? The older brother would be the rich, ungrateful, and spoiled one.