King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He would have been glad to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table; but instead, even the dogs would come and lick his sores.
Berean Standard Bible:
and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
American Standard Version:
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} desiring{G1937} to be fed{G5526} with{G575} the crumbs{G5589} which{G3588} fell{G4098} from{G575} the rich man's{G4145} table{G5132}: moreover{G235}{G2532} the dogs{G2965} came{G2064} and licked{G621} his{G846} sores{G1668}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 15:27
- And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
Mark 7:28
- And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.
John 6:12
- When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
1 Corinthians 4:11
- Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
2 Corinthians 11:27
- In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Luke 16:21
Luke 16:21 is part of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, a story unique to the Gospel of Luke. This verse specifically describes the dire condition of Lazarus, a poor beggar who is lying at the gate of a wealthy man. Lazarus is depicted in a state of extreme destitution, longing to eat even the scraps that fall from the rich man's table—food considered not just unwanted, but ritually unclean and thus unfit for human consumption. Additionally, his open sores are being licked by dogs, which would have been seen as both a humiliating and unclean condition in a Jewish context.
The themes present in this verse include the stark contrast between wealth and poverty, the physical and social alienation of the marginalized, and the lack of compassion shown by the rich man to Lazarus. Historically, the social stratification and disregard for the poor reflected in this verse would have resonated with the economic disparities of the time. The mention of dogs licking Lazarus's sores underscores his abject condition and social ostracism, as dogs were often considered scavengers and their saliva was believed to be impure.
In the broader context of the parable, this verse sets the stage for a reversal of fortunes after death, where Lazarus is comforted in heaven while the rich man suffers in Hades. This reversal serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of wealth without charity and the importance of showing mercy to the less fortunate. The parable challenges listeners to consider the eternal consequences of their actions and attitudes toward the poor and marginalized.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1937
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπιθυμέω
Transliteration: epithyméō
Pronunciation: ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o
Description: from ἐπί and θυμός; to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise):--covet, desire, would fain, lust (after). - Strong's Number: G5526
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χορτάζω
Transliteration: chortázō
Pronunciation: khor-tad'-zo
Description: from χόρτος; to fodder, i.e. (generally) to gorge (supply food in abundance):--feed, fill, satisfy. - Strong's Number: G575
There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπό
Transliteration: apó
Pronunciation: apo'
Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc. - Strong's Number: G5589
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ψιχίον
Transliteration: psichíon
Pronunciation: psikh-ee'-on
Description: diminutive from a derivative of the base of ψάλλω (meaning a crumb); a little bit or morsel:--crumb. - Strong's Number: G3588
There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁ
Transliteration: ho
Pronunciation: to
Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc. - Strong's Number: G4098
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πίπτω
Transliteration: píptō
Pronunciation: pet'-o
Description: probably akin to πέτομαι through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):--fail, fall (down), light on. - Strong's Number: G4145
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πλούσιος
Transliteration: ploúsios
Pronunciation: ploo'-see-os
Description: from πλοῦτος; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with:--rich. - Strong's Number: G5132
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τράπεζα
Transliteration: trápeza
Pronunciation: trap'-ed-zah
Description: probably contracted from τέσσαρες and πεζῇ; a table or stool (as being four-legged), usually for food (figuratively, a meal); also a counter for money (figuratively, a broker's office for loans at interest):--bank, meat, table. - Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. - Strong's Number: G2965
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κύων
Transliteration: kýōn
Pronunciation: koo'-ohn
Description: a primary word; a dog ("hound") (literally or figuratively):--dog. - Strong's Number: G2064
There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔρχομαι
Transliteration: érchomai
Pronunciation: el'-tho
Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set. - Strong's Number: G621
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπολείχω
Transliteration: apoleíchō
Pronunciation: ap-ol-i'-kho
Description: from ἀπό and (to "lick"); to lick clean:--lick. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G1668
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἕλκος
Transliteration: hélkos
Pronunciation: hel'-kos
Description: probably from ἑλκύω; an ulcer (as if drawn together):--sore.