Luke 16:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.

NIV: "But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.

NASB: But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.

CSB: "‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

NLT: But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.

KJV: But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

NKJV: But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.

Jesus is telling a story about a rich man who died and went into eternal torment, and a beggar, Lazarus, who died and was greeted in paradise by Abraham. In life, the rich man wore fine, expensive clothing; Lazarus was covered in open sores. The rich man dined lavishly every day; Lazarus craved the crumbs that fell from his table (Luke 16:19–22).

Now, the rich man is surrounded by flames. He can look up and see Abraham and Lazarus. He asks Abraham to send Lazarus down with just a bit of water to relieve his painful tongue (Luke 16:23–24). This is the start of Abraham's response.

First, Abraham points out that the reversal of fortunes experienced by the rich man and Lazarus is a kind of justice. Why didn't the rich man worry about Lazarus' suffering on earth? He couldn't walk to his own gate to give a starving man food, but he wants that same poor man to cross the boundaries of the afterlife just to ease his own suffering. Whether the man wants it or not, Abraham says it is not possible for Lazarus to go to Hades. The two are completely and permanently separated (Luke 16:26).

The theme of this chapter is that what people do with their money reflects their relationship with God. Those who trust God with their well-being (Luke 12:22–31) and obey Him by loving others with their resources demonstrate they are true believers. Those who jealously hold on to their money or spend it on a luxurious lifestyle are likely not (Luke 16:13). In this story, Jesus is trying to get the Pharisees to see that they have placed money above God (Luke 16:14). If they're not careful, the afterlife will reverse their situation with those they harass and rob (Mark 7:1–13; Luke 11:46).

Jesus is not saying that if someone has a hard life on earth, they will be rewarded with a place in heaven. Salvation is always by the grace of God through faith in His promises; the good work of gracious giving is a result of salvation (Ephesians 2:8–10). We cannot earn salvation, either by being good or by having a terrible life. The Lazarus of this story isn't in heaven because he had a bad life, nor is the rich man in hell because he had money. The rich man was damned because he longed only for earthly treasures. That's what he received. He did not store up treasures in heaven (Luke 12:21).

This passage doesn't support the concept of karma: a spiritual balance between good and evil which a person must pay off after death. Abraham's words only point out the drastic change in circumstances for both men. Jesus is warning the Pharisees to see that the rich man represents them.

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.