Luke 16:22

KJV

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096}, that the beggar {G4434} died {G599}, and {G2532} was carried {G667} by {G5259} the angels {G32} into {G1519} Abraham's {G11} bosom {G2859}: the rich man {G4145} also {G1161}{G2532} died {G599}, and {G2532} was buried {G2290};

Complete Jewish Bible

In time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Avraham’s side; the rich man also died and was buried.

Berean Standard Bible

One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:22 serves as the dramatic turning point in Jesus' Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, abruptly shifting the narrative from their earthly circumstances to their immediate post-mortem destinies. It starkly contrasts the fate of the impoverished beggar, Lazarus, who is honorably carried by angels to a place of comfort and fellowship, with that of the wealthy man, who simply dies and is buried, foreshadowing a vastly different and less desirable eternal state. This verse powerfully underscores the certainty of death and the immediate, divinely ordained consequences that follow, challenging conventional assumptions about earthly prosperity and spiritual blessedness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 16:22 immediately follows the vivid depiction of the earthly lives of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-21). Prior to this parable, Jesus has been teaching about the proper use of wealth and the dangers of materialism, particularly addressing the Pharisees who were "lovers of money" ([Luke 16:14](/luke/16-14 "Luke 16:14 - Pharisees Love Money")). The parable itself functions as a stark illustration of the principles Jesus has just laid out, culminating in the reversal of fortunes described in this verse. It is a narrative designed to expose the spiritual blindness that can accompany earthly prosperity and to underscore the eternal significance of one's response to God's law and prophets ([Luke 16:29-31](/luke/16-29-31 "Luke 16:29-31 - Moses and the Prophets")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing, while poverty and illness were sometimes seen as indicators of divine disfavor or sin. The rich man's lavish lifestyle, including his purple and fine linen, signified extreme wealth and social status, while Lazarus's presence at his gate, covered in sores and longing for scraps, highlighted his abject destitution and social marginalization. The concept of "Abraham's bosom" was a common Jewish idiom for the blessed afterlife, a place of comfort and honor where the righteous dead awaited the resurrection, often envisioned as reclining at a banquet with Abraham. This imagery would have been immediately recognizable to Jesus' audience, contrasting sharply with the concept of Hades or Gehenna.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several key themes within the parable and Luke's Gospel. It highlights the **certainty and impartiality of death**, as both men, despite their vastly different earthly statuses, face the same ultimate physical end. It introduces the theme of **immediate post-mortem destiny**, challenging any notion of an unconscious "soul sleep" and indicating distinct, immediate states for the righteous and unrighteous. Most prominently, it exemplifies the theme of **divine reversal**, a recurring motif in Luke's Gospel where the humble are exalted and the proud are brought low ([Luke 1:52-53](/luke/1-52-53 "Luke 1:52-53 - The Magnificat's Reversal Theme"); [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - Whoever Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled")). The contrast between Lazarus's angelic escort and the rich man's simple burial underscores the radical shift in divine perspective.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **beggar (Greek, _ptōchós_):** This term denotes absolute or public mendicancy, referring to someone utterly destitute, dependent on alms, and often cringing in humility or distress. It signifies not merely poverty but a state of extreme need and vulnerability, contrasting sharply with the rich man's abundance.
* **Abraham's bosom (Greek, _kólpos Abraám_):** "Bosom" literally refers to the fold of a garment over the chest, where one might carry things, or metaphorically, a place of intimacy, comfort, and honor, such as reclining at a banquet. In this context, "Abraham's bosom" is a Jewish idiom for the blessed afterlife, signifying a place of rest, security, and fellowship with the patriarchs, a metaphor for paradise or the abode of the righteous.
* **buried (Greek, _tháptō_):** This verb means "to celebrate funeral rites" or "to inter." While seemingly a neutral act, the mention of the rich man being buried, in contrast to Lazarus being carried by angels, subtly highlights the rich man's earthly focus even in death. His burial signifies the end of his earthly existence and the finality of his worldly possessions, with no divine escort or special honor mentioned.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that the beggar died,"**: This clause establishes the universal reality of death, affecting even the most marginalized. The use of "it came to pass" (Greek: `ginomai`) signifies an event that unfolded as part of the divine narrative, emphasizing the certainty and inevitability of this transition.
* **"and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom:"**: This is the pivotal moment of divine reversal. Lazarus, who was ignored and suffered in life, receives a glorious and honorable escort by angels, signifying divine recognition and care. "Abraham's bosom" denotes a place of comfort, honor, and blessed fellowship, a clear indication of his righteous standing and eternal reward.
* **"the rich man also died, and was buried;"**: In stark contrast, the rich man's death is stated plainly, followed by his burial. There is no mention of divine escort or a place of honor. His burial, while a common human practice, here serves to emphasize the finality of his earthly existence and his lack of spiritual commendation, setting the stage for his subsequent torment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, juxtaposing the beggar's humble life but glorious afterlife with the rich man's luxurious life and unceremonious post-mortem state. This sharp dichotomy highlights the parable's central message of divine reversal. **Symbolism** is evident in "Abraham's bosom," which symbolizes paradise, comfort, and acceptance into the fellowship of the righteous. The "angels" symbolize divine intervention, honor, and the direct hand of God in the transition of the righteous. There is also a subtle **irony**: the man who had everything in life receives nothing special in death, while the man who had nothing receives the highest honor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:22 offers profound theological insights into the nature of death, the afterlife, and divine justice. It asserts an immediate post-mortem state for individuals, challenging notions of an intermediate period of unconsciousness. The contrasting destinies underscore God's righteous judgment, where earthly status is irrelevant, and true spiritual standing is paramount. It reveals that God's perspective on value and honor differs radically from human perspectives, often reversing them. This verse also implicitly teaches about the finality of one's earthly choices in determining eternal outcomes, serving as a powerful warning against the dangers of materialism and indifference to the suffering of others.

* [Philippians 1:23](/philippians/1-23 "Philippians 1:23 - To Depart and Be with Christ")
* [Matthew 8:11](/matthew/8-11 "Matthew 8:11 - Many Will Come from East and West")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 16:22 forces us to confront the ultimate equalizer: death. It challenges us to examine our priorities, asking whether we are accumulating earthly treasures or investing in eternal realities. The parable's central message is not that wealth itself is evil, but that the love of money and the neglect of the poor and spiritual matters can lead to eternal ruin. For those who suffer in this life, whether from poverty, illness, or injustice, Lazarus's immediate reception into "Abraham's bosom" offers profound hope and assurance that God sees their plight and promises ultimate comfort and honor. Conversely, for those blessed with material abundance, it serves as a sobering warning to use their resources for God's glory and the good of others, rather than for self-indulgence, lest they face a similar reversal of fortune in the afterlife. Our compassion, generosity, and spiritual preparedness in this life have eternal consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the contrast between Lazarus's death and the rich man's death challenge my assumptions about earthly success and divine favor?**
* **In what ways might I be neglecting spiritual matters or the needs of others due to my focus on earthly comforts or possessions?**
* **What does "Abraham's bosom" signify for my understanding of the immediate afterlife for believers?**
* **How can the certainty of death, as depicted in this verse, motivate me to live more intentionally for eternal purposes?**

### FAQ

**What is "Abraham's bosom" and is it a literal place?**

Answer: "Abraham's bosom" (Greek: `kolpos Abraam`) is a Jewish idiom used to describe the blessed state of the righteous dead in the afterlife, often understood as a metaphor for paradise or a place of comfort and honor awaiting the final resurrection. While not a literal physical location in the same way we understand earthly places, it signifies a real state of blessedness and fellowship with God and the patriarchs. It implies a place of rest and security for the faithful departed, contrasting sharply with the torment of Hades where the rich man found himself ([Luke 16:23](/luke/16-23 "Luke 16:23 - The Rich Man in Hades")).

**Does this verse teach about an immediate afterlife or "soul sleep"?**

Answer: Luke 16:22 strongly supports the concept of an immediate afterlife, where individuals enter into a conscious state of either blessing or torment immediately upon death. Lazarus is "carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom," implying a direct and immediate transfer to a place of comfort. Similarly, the rich man immediately finds himself in Hades, in torment ([Luke 16:23](/luke/16-23 "Luke 16:23 - The Rich Man in Hades")). This contrasts with the idea of "soul sleep," which suggests an unconscious state between death and resurrection. Other New Testament passages also affirm this immediate presence with the Lord for believers, such as Paul's desire to be "absent from the body and present with the Lord" ([2 Corinthians 5:8](/2_corinthians/5-8 "2 Corinthians 5:8 - Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord")) or Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in Paradise" ([Luke 23:43](/luke/23-43 "Luke 23:43 - Jesus' Promise to the Thief")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Luke 16:22 describes the immediate post-mortem state of a righteous man in "Abraham's bosom" under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and the true nature of the believer's eternal destiny are found in Christ. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has conquered death and opened the way to a far greater "bosom"—the very presence of God. Lazarus's comfort in Abraham's bosom foreshadows the believer's ultimate rest and joy in Christ's presence, where there is "no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")). The angelic escort of Lazarus points to the divine care and honor bestowed upon those who are in Christ, who are now heirs with Him and destined for glory. The rich man's tragic end, rooted in his self-centeredness and neglect of the poor, underscores the necessity of Christ's righteousness, for it is only through faith in Him that one can escape eternal separation and enter into the Father's house, where Jesus has gone to "prepare a place for you" ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")). Thus, "Abraham's bosom" is a shadow, and Christ is the glorious reality, offering not just comfort, but eternal life and resurrection to all who believe in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

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

1 Peter 2:24

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Psalms 49:16

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

Psalms 49:19

He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

Revelation 14:13

¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

James 1:11

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Proverbs 14:32

¶ The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Ecclesiastes 8:10

And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this [is] also vanity.