Luke 16:28

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} I have {G2192} five {G4002} brethren {G80}; that {G3704} he may testify {G1263} unto them {G846}, lest {G3363} they {G846} also {G2532} come {G2064} into {G1519} this {G5126} place {G5117} of torment {G931}.

Complete Jewish Bible

where I have five brothers, to warn them; so that they may be spared having to come to this place of torment too.’

Berean Standard Bible

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also end up in this place of torment.’

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:28 captures the desperate plea of the rich man, suffering in Hades, to Abraham. Having been denied relief for himself, his concern belatedly shifts to his five living brothers. He implores Abraham to send Lazarus, the formerly poor man now in Abraham's bosom, back from the dead to warn his family, hoping to prevent them from experiencing the same eternal "place of torment" he now endures. This verse powerfully underscores the rich man's sudden, yet tragically late, recognition of the eternal consequences of an unrepentant life and the irreversible nature of post-mortem destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within Jesus's parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus ([Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus")). It immediately follows the rich man's initial, self-serving request for Lazarus to bring him water, which Abraham denies due to the "great gulf fixed" ([Luke 16:26](/luke/16-26 "Luke 16:26 - The Great Gulf Fixed")). His second request, though still revealing a self-centered perspective (he commands Abraham to "send" Lazarus), shows a shift from personal comfort to a belated concern for his family's eternal welfare. This plea sets the stage for Abraham's definitive response in [Luke 16:29-31](/luke/16-29-31 "Luke 16:29-31 - Moses and the Prophets are Enough"), which highlights the sufficiency of God's revealed Word.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Parables were a common teaching method in first-century Judaism, used by rabbis and Jesus to convey profound spiritual truths through relatable narratives. While this parable is unique in its detailed depiction of the afterlife, it draws upon common Jewish beliefs about Sheol (Hades in Greek, often divided into compartments for the righteous and unrighteous) and the finality of judgment. The concept of a "great gulf" separating the righteous from the wicked in the afterlife was a familiar idea. The rich man's five brothers would have represented a typical family unit, and his desire to warn them reflects a natural human concern for kin, even if belatedly expressed. The parable also implicitly critiques the prevailing societal values that often honored wealth and neglected the poor, contrasting the earthly fortunes with eternal destinies.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 16:28 contributes significantly to several key themes within the parable and the broader Gospel of Luke. It highlights the **finality of eternal destinies**, emphasizing that there is no post-mortem repentance or change of state once death occurs. The rich man's desperate plea for a warning underscores the **urgency of repentance and belief** in this life, as the opportunity to change one's eternal trajectory is limited to the earthly existence. Furthermore, this verse, in conjunction with Abraham's subsequent response, introduces the theme of the **sufficiency of God's revealed Word** (Moses and the Prophets) as the primary means of warning and guidance, rendering extraordinary signs from the dead unnecessary for those who refuse to believe the existing revelation, as stated in [Luke 16:29](/luke/16-29 "Luke 16:29 - They Have Moses and the Prophets").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **testify (Greek, _diamartýromai'_):** This verb, formed from _dia_ (through, thoroughly) and _martyromai_ (to bear witness), signifies to "attest or protest earnestly" or "hortatively." The rich man is not merely asking for a message to be delivered; he desires a solemn, emphatic, and compelling warning that will unequivocally convince his brothers of the reality of the afterlife and the consequences of their actions, urging them to change their ways.
* **place (Greek, _tópos'_):** While a general term for a location or spot, in this context, _tópos_ refers to a specific, defined, and inescapable realm of existence after death. It emphasizes the rich man's confinement to a particular, fixed reality from which there is no escape or movement, highlighting the permanence of his suffering.
* **torment (Greek, _básanos'_):** This word originally referred to a "touchstone" used to test the purity of metals. By analogy, it came to mean "torture" or "extreme pain," as if one's character or fate were being severely tested or revealed. In this verse, _básanos_ unequivocally denotes intense, conscious, and agonizing suffering, underscoring the severe nature of the rich man's experience in the afterlife.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I have five brethren":** This clause reveals the rich man's sudden, though belated, shift in concern from his own immediate suffering to the welfare of his living family members. It implies a recognition that his brothers are on a similar path and face the same potential eternal destiny.
* **"that he may testify unto them":** This is the core of the rich man's request. He wants Lazarus, whom he previously ignored and disdained, to be sent as a messenger. The urgency of "testify" (diamartýromai) suggests he believes only a direct, miraculous warning from the dead will be sufficient to alter his brothers' course.
* **"lest they also come into this place of torment":** This final clause articulates the rich man's motivation. He understands the horror of his "place of torment" (básanos) and wishes to spare his brothers from experiencing the same fate. It underscores the severity of the consequences for an unrepentant life and the rich man's newfound, albeit desperate, awareness of eternal realities.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 16:28 employs several powerful literary devices. There is profound **Irony** in the rich man's request: he, who in life refused to offer Lazarus even scraps from his table, now begs Abraham to send Lazarus to serve him by warning his brothers. This highlights the complete reversal of their fortunes and roles in the afterlife. **Dramatic Irony** is also present, as the audience knows from Abraham's prior statement in [Luke 16:26](/luke/16-26 "Luke 16:26 - The Great Gulf Fixed") that no one can cross the "great gulf," making the rich man's plea inherently futile. The "place of torment" serves as a powerful **Symbol** of the conscious, agonizing consequences of rejecting God's grace and neglecting the needs of others. The rich man's desperate plea also functions as **Foreshadowing** for Abraham's subsequent pronouncement about the sufficiency of "Moses and the Prophets" ([Luke 16:29](/luke/16-29 "Luke 16:29 - They Have Moses and the Prophets")), setting up the theological climax of the parable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:28 powerfully underscores the biblical truth of a fixed and irreversible destiny after death, emphasizing that the time for repentance and faith is limited to one's earthly life. The rich man's belated concern for his brothers highlights the immense value of timely evangelism and the urgency of responding to God's warnings. It implicitly teaches that ignoring God's revealed truth in this life leads to eternal separation and suffering. The verse also sets up the crucial point that God's existing revelation (Scripture) is sufficient for salvation, rendering extraordinary signs unnecessary for those who choose to harden their hearts.

* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die Once"): "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
* [2 Corinthians 6:2](/2_corinthians/6-2 "2 Corinthians 6:2 - The Acceptable Time"): "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
* [John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing and Believing"): "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 16:28 serves as a stark and sobering reminder for all believers. It compels us to confront the reality of eternal consequences and the precious, finite nature of our time on earth. The rich man's desperate plea, born of hindsight and anguish, should ignite within us a profound sense of urgency regarding the spiritual state of our loved ones and indeed, all those around us. We are called to live with an eternal perspective, not merely accumulating earthly comforts, but investing in what truly lasts. This verse challenges us to consider if we are truly heeding the "Moses and the Prophets"—the Word of God—in our own lives, allowing it to shape our values, priorities, and actions. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful impetus for evangelism, urging us to share the life-saving message of the Gospel with earnestness and compassion, knowing that the opportunity for repentance is now, and that once the curtain of life falls, destinies are sealed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the rich man's belated concern for his brothers challenge my own sense of urgency regarding the spiritual well-being of my family and friends?**
* **In what ways might I be neglecting the "Moses and the Prophets"—God's revealed Word—in my own life, similar to the rich man's brothers?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to live with a greater awareness of eternal realities and to share the Gospel more faithfully?**

### FAQ

**Why didn't Abraham agree to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn the rich man's brothers?**

Answer: Abraham refused the rich man's request because God has already provided sufficient revelation for humanity through "Moses and the prophets" (i.e., the Old Testament Scriptures). As Abraham states in [Luke 16:29](/luke/16-29 "Luke 16:29 - They Have Moses and the Prophets"), those who refuse to believe the clear teachings of God's Word will not be persuaded even by a miraculous sign, such as someone returning from the dead. This highlights the principle that true faith comes from hearing and responding to God's revealed truth, not from sensational signs. The parable emphasizes the moral culpability of those who have access to God's Word but choose to ignore it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Luke 16:28 presents the rich man's futile plea for a resurrected witness, it powerfully foreshadows the ultimate, divinely appointed resurrected witness: Jesus Christ Himself. The rich man believed that only a spectacular return from the dead could convince his brothers, yet Abraham's response in [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Luke 16:31 - Neither Will They Be Persuaded") ("If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead") is profoundly prophetic. Indeed, the greatest "one who rose from the dead" is Jesus, whose resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - Christ Died and Rose Again")). Yet, even with the undeniable historical fact of Christ's resurrection and the subsequent preaching of the Gospel, many still refuse to believe, just as Abraham predicted. Thus, Luke 16:28, in the context of the entire parable, points to Christ as the definitive "testimony" ([John 5:39](/john/5-39 "John 5:39 - Scriptures Testify of Jesus")) and the ultimate fulfillment of the need for a warning, offering the only true escape from the "place of torment" through faith in His atoning death and resurrection ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9-10 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confess and Believe")).

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 49:12

Nevertheless man [being] in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish.

Psalms 49:13

This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

Acts 20:23

Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

Acts 2:40

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

1 Thessalonians 4:6

That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.