Luke 16:28

Luke 16:28 is a poignant and critical verse within the famous Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, narrated by Jesus. In this verse, the rich man, now suffering in a "place of torment" after death, makes a desperate plea to Abraham concerning his living family members.

Context

This verse comes from the rich man's second request to Abraham. Having been denied a drop of water to cool his tongue, the rich man, from his agonizing state in Hades, shifts his concern to his five brothers who are still alive on earth. He begs Abraham to send Lazarus (the poor man who had died and was carried to Abraham's bosom) back from the dead to warn them. The rich man fears that if his brothers do not change their ways, they will suffer the same eternal fate he is experiencing. This plea highlights the rich man's sudden, but belated, awareness of the gravity of eternal consequences and the irreversibility of his own condition.

Key Themes

• The Urgency of Warning: The rich man's desperate plea underscores the critical importance of heeding spiritual warnings in this life. His concern for his brothers reveals a belated understanding of the eternal stakes, emphasizing that the time for repentance is now.
• The Irreversibility of Eternal Destiny: Once death occurs, the parable clearly teaches that one's eternal state is fixed. There are no second chances, no crossing over between the "great gulf fixed" (Luke 16:26). The rich man's plea for his brothers is an implicit acknowledgment of his own sealed fate.
• The Sufficiency of Scripture: Although not explicitly in this verse, Abraham's subsequent response in the parable directly addresses the rich man's request. Abraham states, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them" (Luke 16:29). This teaches that God's revealed Word (the Scriptures) is sufficient for guidance and warning, rendering miraculous signs from the dead unnecessary for those who refuse to believe.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "place of torment" translates the Greek word basanos (βασάνος). While it can refer to a touchstone for testing metals, in this context, it denotes extreme pain, anguish, or torture. This emphasizes the severe, conscious suffering experienced by the rich man, reinforcing the KJV's strong depiction of his agony.

Practical Application

Luke 16:28 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

• The Reality of Eternity: It underscores the reality of an afterlife and the contrasting destinies of the righteous and the unrighteous. This should motivate us to live with an eternal perspective.
• The Call to Evangelism: Like the rich man's belated concern, we are called to share the Gospel message with others, especially those we love, while there is still time. The urgency of this verse should spur us to warn others about the consequences of rejecting God's provision for salvation and to encourage them to repent and believe.
• Trust in God's Word: The parable teaches that God has provided sufficient revelation in His Word for humanity to understand the path to life. We should take the Scriptures seriously as our guide for faith and practice, recognizing their power to transform lives and prepare us for eternity.