Luke 16:24

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

And {G2532}{G846} he cried {G5455} and said {G2036}, Father {G3962} Abraham {G11}, have mercy {G1653} on me {G3165}, and {G2532} send {G3992} Lazarus {G2976}, that {G2443} he may dip {G911} the tip {G206} of his {G846} finger {G1147} in water {G5204}, and {G2532} cool {G2711} my {G3450} tongue {G1100}; for {G3754} I am tormented {G3600} in {G1722} this {G5026} flame {G5395}.

He called out, ‘Father Avraham, take pity on me, and send El‘azar just to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I’m in agony in this fire!’

So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

Commentary

Luke 16:24 is a pivotal verse within the compelling Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, narrated by Jesus. This moment captures the rich man's desperate plea from the afterlife, highlighting the stark realities of eternal destinies.

Context

This verse is spoken by the unnamed rich man, who, during his earthly life, lived in luxury and ignored the suffering beggar Lazarus at his gate. After death, their roles are dramatically reversed: Lazarus is carried by angels to "Abraham's bosom" (a metaphor for paradise/comfort), while the rich man finds himself in Hades, suffering intense torment. His cry to "Father Abraham" reveals his recognition of Abraham's spiritual authority and his desperate need for even the smallest relief from his agony.

Key Themes

  • The Reality of the Afterlife: The parable vividly portrays a conscious existence beyond death, with distinct states of comfort for the righteous and torment for the unrighteous. It underscores the biblical teaching that death is not annihilation but a transition to an eternal state.
  • Irreversible Destiny: The rich man's plea for water, and later for a warning to his brothers, is denied due to a "great gulf fixed" between the two realms. This emphasizes the finality of one's spiritual condition at the point of death.
  • Divine Justice: The rich man, who enjoyed earthly comforts without spiritual concern or compassion, now suffers. Conversely, Lazarus, who endured hardship, finds comfort. This illustrates God's justice, where earthly fortunes do not dictate eternal standing.
  • The Nature of Torment: The rich man's request for even a single drop of water to cool his tongue highlights the excruciating and unquenchable nature of the "flame" he experiences, signifying severe suffering and anguish.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "tormented" is basanizō, which means to vex, harass, or torture. It implies intense, agonizing pain and distress, often associated with being tested or scrutinized. The "flame" (Greek: phlox) points to a literal or metaphorical fire, signifying the severity of the suffering endured in Hades.

Practical Application

Luke 16:24 serves as a solemn warning and a powerful call to spiritual awakening. It urges listeners to:

  • Prioritize Spiritual Realities: Material wealth and earthly pleasures are fleeting. What truly matters is one's spiritual state and relationship with God before death.
  • Respond to God's Word Now: The rich man's fate was sealed because he ignored the "Moses and the prophets" (Luke 16:29), representing God's revealed truth. This verse emphasizes the urgency of repentance and faith during one's lifetime.
  • Cultivate Compassion: While not explicitly stated as the rich man's sin, his indifference to Lazarus's suffering is a strong underlying theme. The parable encourages compassion and care for the needy, reflecting God's heart.
  • Understand Consequences: The verse powerfully illustrates that choices made in this life have eternal consequences, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions about one's eternal destiny.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 22:1

    ¶ And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

  • John 4:10

    Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

  • Revelation 7:16

    They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

  • Revelation 7:17

    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

  • John 4:14

    But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

  • Matthew 25:41

    Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

  • James 3:6

    And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
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