Luke 16:21

KJV

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:21 vividly portrays the abject destitution and suffering of Lazarus, the poor man in Jesus's parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. It describes his desperate longing for the meager scraps from the opulent table of the unnamed rich man, and the grim reality of his physical affliction, where even stray dogs provided a form of morbid "care" by licking his open sores. This verse starkly contrasts the rich man's lavish lifestyle with Lazarus's extreme poverty, setting the stage for the parable's profound lessons on wealth, compassion, and eternal destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the [Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"), which begins in [Luke 16:19](/luke/16-19 "Luke 16:19 - Introduction to the Rich Man") and concludes in [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Luke 16:31 - The Final Warning"). Immediately preceding this parable, Jesus teaches about the proper use of wealth and the impossibility of serving both God and money ([Luke 16:13](/luke/16-13 "Luke 16:13 - Serving God and Money")). The Pharisees, who were "lovers of money" ([Luke 16:14](/luke/16-14 "Luke 16:14 - The Pharisees' Reaction")), scoffed at Jesus's teachings, prompting this parable as a direct response and a powerful illustration of the eternal consequences of earthly choices, particularly regarding the marginalized. The narrative flow establishes the rich man's extravagant daily life and then introduces Lazarus at his gate, creating a stark visual and moral contrast.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern society, poverty was widespread, and social welfare systems as we know them did not exist. The wealthy were expected, by religious and cultural norms, to show charity to the poor, especially those at their gate. To ignore such a person was a profound failure of hospitality and righteousness. Dogs in this context were typically scavengers, often seen as unclean and undesirable, not pets. Their interaction with Lazarus's sores underscores his utterly degraded and neglected state, lacking even basic human care or hygiene. The "crumbs" (ψιχίον, _psichíon_) would have been small pieces of bread used to wipe hands during a meal, then discarded, highlighting the absolute minimum Lazarus desired for survival.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 16:21 contributes significantly to several major themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. It emphasizes the **reversal of fortunes** between the rich and the poor, a recurring motif in Luke, as seen in Mary's Magnificat ([Luke 1:52-53](/luke/1-52-53 "Luke 1:52-53 - Mary's Magnificat on the Reversal of Fortunes")) and Jesus's Sermon on the Plain ([Luke 6:20-26](/luke/6-20-26 "Luke 6:20-26 - Blessings and Woes")). The verse also highlights the theme of **compassion and social responsibility**, particularly towards the vulnerable. The rich man's indifference to Lazarus, who was literally at his gate, serves as a powerful indictment of a heart hardened by wealth and self-indulgence. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine justice**, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment where earthly status is inverted in the afterlife based on one's actions and heart posture.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **desiring (Greek, _epithyméō'_):** From G1937, meaning "to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)." Here, it conveys Lazarus's intense, desperate longing for sustenance, not out of greed, but out of sheer necessity for survival. It underscores his profound hunger and the extremity of his condition.
* **crumbs (Greek, _psichíon'_):** From G5589, a diminutive meaning "a little bit or morsel." This word emphasizes the absolute minimum Lazarus was seeking—not a meal, but the smallest, most insignificant fragments of food. It highlights his utter destitution and the rich man's extreme abundance, from which even these scraps were withheld.
* **sores (Greek, _hélkos'_):** From G1668, meaning "an ulcer (as if drawn together)." This term denotes open, festering wounds, indicating a severe physical affliction, likely left untreated due to his poverty. The presence of these sores, combined with the dogs licking them, paints a picture of extreme suffering, lack of hygiene, and complete abandonment by human society.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table":** This clause reveals Lazarus's desperate state of hunger and his profound humility. He does not ask for a place at the table, nor a full meal, but merely for the discarded fragments—the refuse—that would have been swept away. This illustrates his utter powerlessness and dependence on the rich man's surplus, which was not even granted.
* **"moreover the dogs came and licked his sores":** This second clause intensifies the portrayal of Lazarus's suffering and neglect. The "dogs" (κύων, _kýōn_, G2965), likely wild or stray scavengers, represent the lowest form of companionship and care. Their licking of his "sores" (G1668) highlights his physical agony and the complete absence of human compassion or medical attention. This detail is not merely descriptive; it underscores his social degradation and the rich man's utter indifference, as even animals showed a perverse form of attention where humans did not.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 16:21 employs several powerful literary devices to underscore its message. **Juxtaposition** is central, immediately setting the abject poverty and suffering of Lazarus against the implied opulence of the rich man's table. The "crumbs" themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing the minimal, discarded surplus of the wealthy, and Lazarus's desperate need for even that. The "dogs" are also **Symbolic**, not only of uncleanliness and the lowest social status but also, ironically, of a perverse form of "care" or attention that Lazarus received from animals when none was offered by humans. This highlights the **Irony** of the situation: the rich man, who should have shown compassion, ignores Lazarus, while the despised dogs interact with him, albeit in a way that emphasizes his degraded state. The vivid imagery of the sores and the licking also serves as **Pathos**, evoking pity and horror at Lazarus's condition, thereby intensifying the moral indictment of the rich man's neglect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that God cares deeply for the poor and marginalized, and that a lack of compassion for them is a serious spiritual failing. It challenges the common ancient (and often modern) assumption that wealth is a sign of divine favor and poverty a sign of divine disfavor. Instead, the parable, through Lazarus's suffering, subtly critiques a worldview that prioritizes material gain over human dignity and spiritual responsibility. It foreshadows the ultimate divine judgment where earthly values and statuses are radically inverted, emphasizing that true righteousness is demonstrated by love and care for the "least of these."

* [Proverbs 14:31](/proverbs/14-31 "Proverbs 14:31 - Oppressing the Poor")
* [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Identifying with the Least of These")
* [James 2:5-7](/james/2-5-7 "James 2:5-7 - God's Choice of the Poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 16:21 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts and priorities. It compels us to move beyond passive observation of suffering to active compassion and responsibility. Are we, like the rich man, so consumed by our own comforts and abundance that we fail to see or respond to the needs of those literally at our "gates"—our neighbors, community members, or those in the wider world who suffer? The "crumbs" Lazarus desired represent the minimal effort or resource that could have made a profound difference in his life. This verse challenges us to consider what "crumbs" we might be withholding—whether financial resources, time, attention, or advocacy—from those in desperate need. Our response to the vulnerable is not merely a social nicety but a spiritual barometer, reflecting the true condition of our hearts and our alignment with God's kingdom values.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be blind to the "Lazarus" at my own "gate" or in my community?**
* **What "crumbs" (resources, time, attention) do I possess that could alleviate the suffering of others, and how am I stewarding them?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a genuine concern for the poor and marginalized, rather than just a theoretical agreement with the idea?**
* **What internal attitudes (e.g., indifference, self-focus, fear of inconvenience) might prevent me from truly seeing and responding to the needs around me?**

### FAQ
**Why is Lazarus the only character named in the parable?**

Answer: Lazarus is the only character named in the [Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus") to emphasize his individual identity and significance in God's eyes, despite his earthly anonymity and degradation. His name, "Lazarus," is a Greek form of the Hebrew "Eleazar," meaning "God is my help." This name is highly significant, contrasting with the unnamed rich man whose identity is defined solely by his wealth. By naming Lazarus, Jesus elevates the status of the poor and suffering, indicating that they are known and valued by God, even when overlooked by human society. It also serves to personalize the suffering, making it tangible and relatable, and highlighting that God's justice is personal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 16:21, though part of a parable, points profoundly to Christ in its portrayal of suffering, compassion, and the ultimate reversal of fortunes. Jesus himself, the Son of God, willingly embraced a life of poverty and suffering, having "nowhere to lay his head" ([Luke 9:58](/luke/9-58 "Luke 9:58 - Jesus Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). He identified intimately with the poor, the sick, and the outcast, demonstrating divine compassion by healing the afflicted and feeding the hungry ([Matthew 14:14-21](/matthew/14-14-21 "Matthew 14:14-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")). The ultimate fulfillment of Lazarus's longing for sustenance and healing is found in Christ, who offers the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")) to all who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Furthermore, Jesus's death and resurrection represent the ultimate reversal of fortunes: through his sacrifice, those who are spiritually poor and broken are made rich in God's grace ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), and the suffering of this present age is transformed into eternal glory for those who trust in Him ([Romans 8:18](/romans/8-18 "Romans 8:18 - Suffering and Glory")). The "dogs" licking Lazarus's sores can even be seen as a shadow of the ultimate degradation Christ endured on the cross, where he bore the sin and suffering of humanity, becoming "cursed" for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.