Luke 16:27

KJV

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} he said {G2036}, I pray {G2065} thee {G4571} therefore {G3767}, father {G3962}, that {G2443} thou wouldest send {G3992} him {G846} to {G1519} my {G3450} father's {G3962} house {G3624}:

Complete Jewish Bible

“He answered, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house,

Berean Standard Bible

‘Then I beg you, father,’ he said, ‘send Lazarus to my father’s house,

American Standard Version

And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:27 captures the desperate plea of the rich man, suffering in Hades, to Abraham. Having been denied passage to the realm of comfort, his focus shifts from his own torment to the spiritual welfare of his five living brothers. He implores Abraham to send Lazarus, the poor man he once ignored, back from the dead to warn his family, hoping that such a miraculous intervention would prevent them from joining him in eternal torment. This verse underscores the finality of post-mortem judgment and sets the stage for Abraham's profound declaration regarding the sufficiency of God's revealed Word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within Jesus' parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, recorded in [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"). Immediately preceding this verse, Abraham has just delivered a definitive statement, emphasizing that an impassable "great gulf" is fixed between the realm of torment and the realm of comfort ([Luke 16:26](/luke/16-26 "The Great Gulf Fixed")). This declaration shatters any hope the rich man had for his own relief. Consequently, his plea shifts from a personal request for comfort to an intercession for his living family members. The rich man's request in [Luke 16:27](/luke/16-27 "The Rich Man's Plea for His Brothers") directly sets up Abraham's crucial response in [Luke 16:29-31](/luke/16-29-31 "Abraham's Response: The Sufficiency of Moses and the Prophets"), which forms the theological climax of the parable, asserting the sufficiency of God's Word over miraculous signs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Parables were a common teaching method employed by Jesus, often drawing on familiar social dynamics and cultural expectations to convey spiritual truths. In first-century Jewish society, the concept of Hades (Sheol in the Old Testament) as the abode of the dead was well-established, though specific eschatological beliefs varied. The idea of a "bosom of Abraham" ([Luke 16:22](/luke/16-22 "Lazarus in Abraham's Bosom")) was a common euphemism for the place of comfort for the righteous dead. The rich man's address of Abraham as "father" reflects a common Jewish understanding of Abraham as the patriarch of the nation, implying a shared lineage and covenantal identity. However, the parable challenges the assumption that physical descent from Abraham guarantees salvation, highlighting instead the importance of righteous living and heeding God's commands—a point often missed by those who relied solely on their heritage.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 16](/luke/16 "Luke Chapter 16 - Parables of Stewardship and Eternity") as a whole explores themes of stewardship, the proper use of wealth, and the eternal consequences of earthly choices. Within the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, [Luke 16:27](/luke/16-27 "The Rich Man's Plea for His Brothers") contributes significantly to several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the **finality of eternal destinies**; once physical death occurs, one's eternal state is fixed, with no opportunity for repentance or change. Secondly, it highlights the **belated and self-serving nature of the rich man's concern** for his family; his "compassion" emerges only after he experiences the painful consequences of his own choices, not from genuine love or repentance. Finally, and most crucially, this verse sets the stage for the theme of the **sufficiency of God's revealed Word**. The rich man believes a supernatural sign is necessary, but Abraham's response emphasizes that "Moses and the prophets" (the Scriptures) are entirely sufficient for guidance and salvation ([Luke 16:29](/luke/16-29 "The Sufficiency of Moses and the Prophets")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **pray (Greek, _erōtáō'_):** This word (G2065) means "to interrogate; by implication, to request." While it can mean "to ask" or "beseech," in this context, it carries the weight of a desperate appeal or fervent desire. The rich man is not merely inquiring but making an earnest, impassioned plea to Abraham, stemming from his newfound understanding of eternal suffering and his fear for his family.
* **send (Greek, _pémpō'_):** This verb (G3992) means "to dispatch, especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield." The rich man's request for Lazarus to be "sent" implies a belief in Abraham's authority and ability to command such a supernatural mission. He envisions Lazarus as an emissary from the dead, capable of delivering a warning that he believes would be uniquely persuasive.
* **father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** This term (G3962) refers to a "father" literally or figuratively, near or more remote. The rich man addresses Abraham as "father," acknowledging a shared ancestral lineage. This address underscores the irony of his situation: despite his physical and covenantal connection to Abraham, his earthly choices led him to a fate diametrically opposed to Abraham's comfort. His plea is not to a distant deity but to a revered patriarch, hoping this familial connection might sway Abraham.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father":** This clause reveals the rich man's shift in focus and his desperate appeal. "Therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) logically follows Abraham's declaration of the fixed gulf, indicating that since he cannot be helped, his attention turns elsewhere. His address to Abraham as "father" (G3962, _patḗr_) is a plea for paternal compassion, a desperate attempt to leverage a shared heritage for the benefit of his family.
* **"that thou wouldest send him":** This is the core of his request. The rich man is asking Abraham to dispatch Lazarus (G846, _autós_, referring to Lazarus) on a mission. The verb "send" (G3992, _pémpō_) implies a temporary assignment, a supernatural intervention from the afterlife into the earthly realm. He believes that only a messenger from the dead could adequately convey the urgency of his message.
* **"to my father's house":** This specifies the destination of the requested mission. The rich man's concern is specifically for his biological family—his "father's house" (G3624, _oîkos_). This phrase, often denoting a household or family lineage, emphasizes his desire to protect his immediate kin from the same agonizing fate he now endures. It highlights his belated, but intense, familial concern.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Luke 16:27](/luke/16-27 "The Rich Man's Plea for His Brothers") and the broader parable is **Irony**. The rich man, who ignored Lazarus at his gate during his lifetime, now desperately seeks Lazarus to be his family's savior. This reversal of roles is deeply ironic. Furthermore, the rich man's belief that a miraculous sign (someone returning from the dead) would be more persuasive than "Moses and the prophets" sets up a profound **Contrast** with Abraham's ultimate response, which asserts the sufficiency of God's written Word. The rich man's plea also demonstrates **Foreshadowing**, albeit unintended, of Jesus' own resurrection, which would indeed occur, yet still be disbelieved by many who had "Moses and the prophets."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:27 serves as a stark theological commentary on the finality of human destiny after death and the sufficiency of divine revelation. The rich man's plea, born of torment and a belated concern for his family, underscores the biblical truth that there is no second chance for repentance or crossing the chasm between the saved and the lost once earthly life concludes. His request for a supernatural sign reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of God's economy of salvation, which prioritizes faith in the revealed Word over sensational miracles. This sets the stage for Abraham's pivotal declaration that if people do not listen to the Scriptures, they will not be persuaded even by someone rising from the dead, a profound truth that resonates deeply with the Christian understanding of faith and the authority of God's Word.

* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "The Certainty of Death and Judgment") - "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
* [John 5:39-40](/john/5-39-40 "Searching the Scriptures and Coming to Christ") - "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
* [2 Peter 1:19](/2_peter/1-19 "The More Sure Word of Prophecy") - "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 16:27 offers profound spiritual lessons for contemporary believers. The rich man's desperate, belated concern for his family serves as a powerful call to action, urging us to share the Gospel with our loved ones while they are still alive and receptive. His mistaken belief that a dramatic, supernatural sign would be more effective than the revealed Word of God challenges us to re-evaluate our own priorities and trust in the sufficiency and power of Scripture. We are reminded that genuine repentance and faith are required in this life, for there is no opportunity for change or escape from judgment after death. This verse compels us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in what truly matters—our relationship with God and the spiritual well-being of others—rather than being consumed by temporal comforts and material possessions. It is a sobering reminder that the time for decision is now, not in the afterlife.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the rich man's belated concern for his family challenge my own urgency in sharing the Gospel with those I love?**
* **Do I truly believe in the sufficiency of God's Word, or do I secretly wish for more dramatic signs to confirm my faith or persuade others?**
* **What earthly comforts or distractions might be preventing me from living with a greater awareness of eternal realities?**
* **In what ways can I more actively heed "Moses and the prophets" (God's Word) in my daily life, trusting its guidance above all else?**

### FAQ
**Why did the rich man ask for Lazarus to be sent to his father's house, and not someone else?**

Answer: The rich man specifically requested Lazarus because Lazarus was the one he had previously ignored and neglected, yet Lazarus was now in a place of comfort with Abraham. This choice is deeply ironic and highlights the rich man's belated recognition of Lazarus's spiritual standing, even if his primary motivation was self-preservation for his family. He likely believed that Lazarus, having been a witness to his earthly life and now a resident of the afterlife, would be the most credible and impactful messenger to his brothers. The request underscores his desperate hope that a dramatic, supernatural intervention by someone who had literally returned from the dead would finally convince his brothers to repent, something he failed to do in his own life. The parable, however, immediately counters this notion by asserting the sufficiency of God's written Word ([Luke 16:29](/luke/16-29 "The Sufficiency of Moses and the Prophets")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rich man's desperate plea for someone to be sent back from the dead to warn his brothers finds its ultimate, ironic fulfillment and profound theological answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The rich man believed that a resurrection would be the most convincing sign, yet Abraham's response in [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Unpersuadable Without Scripture") ("If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead") directly foreshadows the central event of Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the ultimate "one who rose from the dead," did indeed return from the grave, validating His claims and the truth of God's Word. Yet, as the parable implies, many still refused to believe, demonstrating that a hardened heart will reject even the most undeniable evidence. The true warning and salvation come not from a temporary messenger, but from the eternal Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), who perfectly fulfilled "Moses and the prophets" ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). The rich man's plea highlights humanity's need for a Savior and the sufficiency of the Gospel message, preached through the Word and confirmed by Christ's resurrection, which offers the only true escape from eternal torment and the path to eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")).

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.