Luke 16:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for I have five brothers — so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’

NIV: for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

NASB: for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not come to this place of torment as well.’

CSB: because I have five brothers—to warn them, so they won’t also come to this place of torment.’

NLT: For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’

KJV: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

NKJV: for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’

When the two men were alive on earth, the rich man ignored Lazarus. He enjoyed sumptuous meals in his mansion and wore luxurious clothing. Lazarus lay starving outside his gate, on the street, with dogs licking his open sores. When the men died, angels took Lazarus to paradise where Abraham greeted him warmly. The rich man went to Hades, a place of torment, where he awaits final judgment and hell (Luke 16:19–23; Revelation 20:13–15).

When the rich man saw Lazarus with Abraham, his first thought was how Lazarus could serve him. First, he asked Abraham to send Lazarus with a bit of water. Abraham told him that was impossible. Now, he wants Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers to change their lives lest they join him in eternal damnation (Luke 16:24–27).

This exchange involves a common complaint of many unbelievers: that God hasn't given quite enough information. In other words, the rich man suggests that if he—or others—were to be given more direct information, then of course they'd submit to God. A miracle, especially, is claimed as the perfect way to make the truth clear (Matthew 12:39). Abraham rejects this claim entirely. For those religious experts who criticize Jesus, they have more than enough knowledge to know how God expects them to respond (Luke 16:29–31). "Moses and the Prophets" is a shorthand for the Old Testament (Luke 16:29). These religious leaders have the Scriptures, which testify about Jesus, and yet they reject Him (John 5:39). Everyone, everywhere, is given enough revelation of God (Romans 1:18–20; Psalm 19:1) that there is no excuse for not seeking Him out (Matthew 7:7–8).

Jesus is telling this story to a group of Pharisees who interrupted His teaching. He had been telling His disciples to be wise in the ways of the world and to use whatever resources they have to bless others. They cannot prioritize worldly treasure and God at the same time (Luke 16:1–13). "The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed [Jesus]" (Luke 16:14).

In a poetic sense, Jesus is fulfilling the rich man's request. Jesus is warning the rich man's "brothers": the Pharisees. They need to stop living selfishly. If they don't, they are going to find themselves in torment.

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.