Luke 16:22

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;

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};

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

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

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.

Luke 16:22 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' profound Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, delivered to the Pharisees who loved money (Luke 16:14). This story vividly contrasts the destinies of two individuals after death, highlighting spiritual realities often overlooked in earthly life.

Context

This verse marks the turning point in the parable. Up to this point, Jesus has described the stark earthly contrast between Lazarus, a poor beggar full of sores, and the rich man, who lived in luxury. Verse 22 abruptly shifts the scene to their post-mortem states, revealing that death is the great equalizer, yet it is also the gateway to vastly different eternal outcomes based on one's life choices and relationship with God.

Key Themes

  • The Certainty of Death: Both the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, face the universal reality of death, underscoring its inevitability for all humanity.
  • Immediate Afterlife: The verse reveals an immediate transition after death, not a period of unconsciousness. Lazarus is carried by angels, signifying a divine intervention and honor. This points to the immediate presence with the Lord for believers.
  • Divine Reversal: The beggar, ignored and suffering in life, receives a glorious reception, while the rich man, who lived in luxury, faces a different fate. This reversal is a central theme of the parable, challenging human assumptions about success and blessing based solely on earthly possessions.
  • Abraham's Bosom: This phrase signifies a place of comfort, honor, and fellowship in the afterlife, often understood as a metaphor for paradise or the abode of the righteous dead awaiting ultimate resurrection.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Abraham's bosom" (Greek: kolpos Abraam) was a common Jewish idiom for the place of rest and honor where righteous souls went after death. It evokes the image of reclining at a banquet beside Abraham, the patriarch, symbolizing acceptance into God's family and fellowship. It signifies a state of blessedness and comfort. This contrasts sharply with the rich man's destination, Hades, mentioned in the subsequent verse (Luke 16:23), highlighting the vast chasm between the two states.

Practical Application

Luke 16:22 serves as a powerful reminder that our earthly circumstances do not dictate our eternal destiny. It challenges us to consider our priorities: are we living for temporary comforts or for eternal realities? The parable emphasizes compassion for the poor and marginalized, reminding us that what we do for 'the least of these' we do for Christ.

This verse offers profound hope to those who suffer in this life but trust in God, assuring them of future comfort and honor. Conversely, it's a sobering warning to those who neglect spiritual matters and the needs of others due to their earthly wealth and self-indulgence, emphasizing that earthly prosperity does not guarantee divine favor or a blessed eternal destiny.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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