Luke 16:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

NIV: In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

NASB: And in Hades he raised his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his arms.

CSB: And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.

NLT: and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

KJV: And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

NKJV: And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

The rich man finds himself in a state of damnation. He had lived a luxurious lifestyle with expensive clothing and rich foods. Outside his gate, a beggar named Lazarus lay, futilely begging for the scraps from the rich man's table. Lazarus was starving, covered in sores instead of purple robes, and likely crippled. The only thing the two had in common is they both died.

Hades is a general term for the place of the dead, although some Jewish literature gives a different name for the dwelling of God-following Jews. This causes continued confusion as Acts 2:27 infers Jesus went to Hades when He died, leading some to believe He spent three days in hell. Whether Lazarus' paradise is in a section of Hades, we don't know. We just know that Lazarus is in paradise and the rich man is in torment. From his place in Hades, the rich man can see Lazarus being welcomed by Abraham (Genesis 12:1–2). The rich man seems to know why he didn't qualify, and he doesn't argue why he's in torment.

The difference between their stations in life is exaggerated in death. Jesus promised this to His disciples: they had the kingdom of God, even if poor then; their hunger would be satisfied (Luke 6:20–21). He pronounced woe to those who were rich: this world is their consolation if they depend on riches; though they were full, they would be hungry (Luke 6:24–25). That doesn't mean, of course, that all people who are poor on earth will be saved and every rich person will go to hell. In the context of Luke 16, what people do with their money strongly indicates if they follow God or not.

The imagery reflects Jewish tradition, not necessarily reality. Extra-biblical Jewish books claim those in paradise and those in Hades can see each other. Jesus does warn that unbelieving Jews will be able to see "Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God" when they are cast out (Luke 13:28).

Luke 16:19–31 contains the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus, a poor beggar, dies and goes to "Abraham's bosom" while a rich man dies and goes to torment. The rich man begs Abraham first for some relief and then to warn his brothers; Abraham insists they have been warned enough. There are several applications: our feelings about money often reveal our devotion to God; once someone dies, their fate is sealed; and if the Pharisees cannot see Jesus in the Mosaic law and the Prophets, they'll never see the truth of who He is in miracles—even someone returning from the dead.

Teaching His disciples and confronting the Pharisees, Jesus offers several lessons about wealth and devotion to God. The first is a parable about a dishonest manager. This illustrates the value of being careful and clever with earthly resources. Jesus then uses remarks about the Law and marriage to introduce the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This not only highlights the dangers of greed, but it also debunks the common claim that a non-believer would submit to God if only they saw "a little more evidence" or a miracle.

The prior chapter included Jesus' teachings centered on lost things: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Luke 16 includes several of Jesus' lessons about living in the kingdom of God compared to the world system, beginning and ending with parables (Luke 16:1—17:10). Chapter 16 includes the parable of the dishonest manager, Jesus' teaching on how money reveals faith, and the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Luke 17:1–10 teaches about whether Christ-followers bear responsibility for others' sin, lessons about faith, and the parable of the unworthy servants.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.