Luke 16:23

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

And {G2532} in {G1722} hell {G86} he lift up {G1869} his {G846} eyes {G3788}, being {G5225} in {G1722} torments {G931}, and seeth {G3708} Abraham {G11} afar {G3113} off {G575}, and {G2532} Lazarus {G2976} in {G1722} his {G846} bosom {G2859}.

“In Sh’ol, where he was in torment, the rich man looked up and saw Avraham far away with El‘azar at his side.

In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.

And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:23 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, depicting the immediate post-mortem state of the unrighteous rich man.

Context

This verse is part of a unique parable told by Jesus, primarily to the Pharisees who "were lovers of money" (Luke 16:14). The narrative follows the death of both a rich, self-indulgent man and a poor, suffering beggar named Lazarus. While Lazarus is carried by angels to a place of comfort, the rich man finds himself in a very different reality, as described in this verse.

Key Themes

  • The Reality of the Afterlife: This parable presents a vivid picture of conscious existence immediately after death, where individuals experience consequences based on their earthly lives.
  • Spiritual Separation: The rich man's ability to "see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom" highlights a clear and irreversible separation between the righteous and the unrighteous in the afterlife.
  • Torment and Comfort: The verse starkly contrasts the rich man's "torments" with Lazarus's peaceful state, emphasizing the vastly different destinies. This underscores the concept of divine justice.
  • Divine Reversal: The positions of the rich man and Lazarus are completely reversed in the afterlife, serving as a powerful warning against materialism and indifference to the suffering of others.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Hell" (Greek: Hades): The King James Version translates the Greek word Hades as "hell" here. In New Testament usage, Hades refers to the realm of the dead, a temporary holding place for souls awaiting the final judgment. It is distinct from Gehenna, which typically denotes the place of eternal punishment. In this parable, Hades for the rich man is clearly a place of suffering.
  • "Torments" (Greek: basanous): This word signifies intense suffering, agony, or distress, emphasizing the painful reality of the rich man's condition.
  • "Abraham's bosom": This is a common Jewish idiom for paradise or a place of honor and comfort for the righteous dead. It signifies being at rest and in fellowship with Abraham, the father of the faithful.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a profound reminder of the eternal consequences of our choices and priorities during life. It compels believers to:

  • Consider Eternal Destiny: It highlights the certainty of an afterlife where conditions are fixed and irreversible, as later emphasized by the "great gulf fixed" in Luke 16:26. This calls for serious reflection on one's spiritual state.
  • Examine Earthly Priorities: The rich man's focus on earthly comfort and neglect of Lazarus led to his dire eternal state. This encourages humility, compassion, and a focus on spiritual wealth over material possessions (Matthew 6:19-21).
  • Value Spiritual Truth: The parable implies that ignoring God's Word and the warnings it provides has severe repercussions. It underscores the importance of heeding biblical teaching while alive.
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.

  • 2 Peter 2:4

    For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

  • Matthew 18:9

    And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

  • Revelation 14:10

    The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

  • Revelation 14:11

    And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

  • Matthew 8:11

    And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

  • Matthew 8:12

    But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Luke 16:28

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

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