Luke 6:24

KJV

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G4133} woe {G3759} unto you {G5213} that are rich {G4145}! for {G3754} ye have received {G568} your {G5216} consolation {G3874}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already had all the comfort you will get!

Berean Standard Bible

But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

American Standard Version

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:24 delivers a stark warning, or "woe," to those who are rich, serving as a powerful counterpoint to the preceding Beatitudes in Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. This pronouncement highlights the spiritual peril of finding ultimate satisfaction and security in earthly wealth, asserting that those who do so have already received their full measure of comfort and reward in this life, thereby forfeiting the eternal blessings of God's Kingdom. It underscores a radical reorientation of values, challenging conventional notions of prosperity and calling disciples to prioritize spiritual riches over temporal gains.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 6:24 is an integral part of Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain" (Luke 6:17-49), a foundational discourse that parallels Matthew's Sermon on the Mount but with distinct Lukan emphases. Following the selection of the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-16), Jesus descends to a level place and addresses a large crowd of disciples and people from various regions. The immediate literary context is crucial: verses 20-23 contain the "Beatitudes," pronouncements of blessing upon the poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted. Luke 6:24-26 then presents the "Woes," a direct antithesis to the Beatitudes, addressing the rich, full, laughing, and popular. This deliberate juxtaposition creates a powerful rhetorical contrast, emphasizing a radical reversal of fortunes in God's economy and setting the stage for the ethical teachings that follow. The Woes are not curses but solemn declarations of the regrettable spiritual state and ultimate fate of those who cling to worldly comforts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Judea and Galilee, like many societies, valued wealth, status, and material prosperity. Rich individuals often held significant social and political power, and their wealth was sometimes seen as a sign of divine favor. However, this period also saw significant economic disparity, with many living in poverty. Jesus' ministry primarily engaged with the marginalized and disenfranchised, challenging the prevailing social order and religious norms. His teachings frequently critiqued the dangers of wealth accumulation and the self-sufficiency it can foster, especially when it leads to neglect of God and neighbor. The concept of "consolation" (παράκλησις) would have resonated with Jewish expectations of a future messianic age when God would comfort His people (e.g., [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - Comfort for God's People")). Jesus' warning implies that for the rich, their "consolation" is already realized in their earthly abundance, leaving them bereft of the ultimate, divine comfort.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Primarily, it highlights the **Divine Reversal** theme, where the world's values are inverted in God's Kingdom. Those considered blessed by the world (the rich, the powerful) are often spiritually impoverished, while the marginalized are spiritually rich. This is a recurring motif, seen in the Magnificat (Luke 1:51-53) and parables like [the Rich Fool](/luke/12-16-21 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool") and [the Rich Man and Lazarus](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"). Secondly, it underscores the **Peril of Earthly Riches**, not as inherently evil, but as a significant obstacle to true discipleship and reliance on God. Wealth can foster a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, diverting one's heart from the Kingdom. Jesus consistently warned about the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God (e.g., [Luke 18:24-25](/luke/18-24-25 "Luke 18:24-25 - The Rich Young Ruler")). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Misplaced Consolation**, emphasizing that true and lasting comfort, joy, and reward are found in God and His eternal Kingdom, not in transient earthly possessions or pleasures. Those who seek their ultimate satisfaction in this life will find their spiritual account empty in the next.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This is a powerful interjection expressing grief, lament, or warning. It is not necessarily a curse in the sense of invoking harm, but rather a solemn declaration of a regrettable state or impending misfortune. It conveys deep sadness over the spiritual condition and ultimate fate of those addressed, signifying a profound spiritual tragedy or a dire warning about their future.
* **rich (Greek, _ploúsios'_):** Derived from the word for "wealth," this adjective describes someone possessing abundant material resources. In this context, it refers not merely to the quantity of possessions but to the spiritual disposition that often accompanies wealth—a reliance on one's own resources rather than on God, and a potential for self-satisfaction that precludes spiritual hunger for the Kingdom.
* **received (Greek, _apéchō'_):** This verb, often used in ancient receipts, means "to have in full," "to receive in full," or "to have received payment in full." The implication here is that the rich have already obtained their complete reward, their full measure of comfort and satisfaction, in this earthly life. There is nothing further awaiting them in the divine economy; their account is settled and closed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But woe unto you that are rich!":** This opening phrase immediately establishes a sharp contrast ("But") with the preceding Beatitudes. The "woe" is a solemn declaration of impending spiritual misfortune or a lament over the spiritual state of the rich. It is directed specifically at those who are wealthy, not as a condemnation of wealth itself, but as a warning about the inherent dangers and spiritual pitfalls associated with it, particularly when one's identity and security become rooted in material possessions.
* **"for ye have received your consolation.":** This clause provides the reason for the "woe." The Greek verb `apéchō` ("received") implies having received something in full, as a complete payment or recompense. The "consolation" (παράκλησις) refers to comfort, solace, or reward. The profound implication is that the rich have already obtained their full measure of comfort, satisfaction, and reward in this earthly life. They have sought and found their ultimate solace in their temporal wealth and pleasures, thereby exhausting their spiritual inheritance and leaving them with no further claim on the eternal comfort and blessings of God's Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 6:24 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, as this "woe" stands in direct opposition to the preceding Beatitudes (Luke 6:20-23). This stark contrast highlights the radical reversal of values in God's Kingdom, where the blessed of the world are often spiritually impoverished, and vice versa. The use of **Hyperbole** might also be present, not in the sense of exaggeration, but in the absolute nature of "received your consolation," implying a complete and final settlement of accounts. This emphasizes the totality of the spiritual loss. The verse also functions as a form of **Prophetic Lament** or **Warning**, characteristic of Old Testament prophetic literature, where a "woe" is pronounced against those who deviate from God's ways, signaling impending judgment or spiritual destitution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:24 profoundly challenges human assumptions about prosperity and well-being, asserting that true blessedness is not found in earthly abundance but in spiritual dependence on God. It unveils a core theological principle of the Kingdom of God: a radical inversion of worldly values where the last are first and the first last. The "woe" is not a curse but a lament over the spiritual blindness that often accompanies material comfort, leading individuals to find their ultimate security in transient possessions rather than in the eternal God. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that earthly comforts, when pursued as ultimate ends, can become barriers to eternal life and divine consolation.

* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [James 5:1-6](/james/5-1-6 "James 5:1-6 - Warning to the Rich")
* [Revelation 3:17-18](/revelation/3-17-18 "Revelation 3:17-18 - The Laodicean Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:24 serves as a potent spiritual mirror, inviting us to critically examine the true source of our comfort, security, and satisfaction. In a world that constantly equates success with material accumulation and external validation, Jesus' "woe" forces us to confront the deceptive allure of earthly riches. It's not merely about having wealth, but about what wealth has of us—does it possess our hearts, dictate our priorities, and lull us into a false sense of self-sufficiency? This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of spiritual detachment from material possessions, recognizing them as temporary means rather than ultimate ends. True consolation and lasting joy are found not in what we accumulate, but in our relationship with God and our participation in His Kingdom, which often demands a radical reorientation of our values and a willingness to embrace a different kind of "richness"—that of faith, humility, and service. It calls us to use whatever resources we have for God's glory and the good of others, understanding that our true treasure lies beyond this fleeting world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily seek my comfort and security in life? Is it in my possessions, my financial stability, or my relationship with God?**
* **In what ways might my pursuit of earthly comfort or wealth be hindering my spiritual growth or my reliance on God?**
* **How does Jesus' warning challenge my cultural assumptions about what it means to be "blessed" or "successful"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart that is less attached to material things and more devoted to eternal realities?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that all rich people are condemned or that wealth is inherently evil?**

Answer: No, this verse does not condemn all rich people nor does it declare wealth itself to be inherently evil. Instead, it serves as a solemn warning about the spiritual dangers and temptations that often accompany wealth. The "woe" is directed at those who find their ultimate satisfaction and security in their riches, thereby having "received their consolation" in this earthly life, leaving no room for the eternal consolation and blessings of God's Kingdom. The Bible contains examples of righteous wealthy individuals (e.g., Abraham, Job, Joseph of Arimathea), but it consistently warns against the love of money and the trust in riches as a substitute for trust in God (e.g., [1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Love of Money")). The issue is not the possession of wealth, but the heart's posture towards it.

**What does "ye have received your consolation" truly imply?**

Answer: The phrase "ye have received your consolation" (Greek: `apéchō` `paráklēsis`) uses a verb (`apéchō`) that often appeared in ancient receipts, meaning "to have received in full" or "to have received payment in full." It implies that the rich, by virtue of their earthly abundance and the comfort it provides, have already obtained their complete reward or satisfaction in this life. They have chosen or found their ultimate solace in temporal things. This means there is nothing further awaiting them in the divine economy; their account is settled and closed in terms of eternal reward. It's a profound statement about the finality of their choice to prioritize earthly comfort over spiritual riches.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:24, with its stark "woe" against the rich who have received their consolation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and counterpoint in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the rich find their comfort in transient earthly possessions, Christ embodies and offers the true, eternal consolation. He is the one who, though "rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). Jesus reveals that true wealth lies not in material abundance but in spiritual poverty and dependence on God, a poverty that leads to eternal riches in Him. The "consolation" that the rich have received is fleeting, but the comfort offered by Christ is everlasting, as He promised the Holy Spirit, the "Comforter" or "Advocate" (Greek: `Paraclete`, related to `paráklēsis`), who would be with His disciples forever ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). Through His sacrifice, Jesus provides the ultimate spiritual wealth and the only lasting consolation, inviting all, regardless of their earthly status, to find their true treasure in Him and His Kingdom, where the poor in spirit are truly blessed and the hungry are filled ([Matthew 5:3-6](/matthew/5-3-6 "Matthew 5:3-6 - The Beatitudes")).

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 49:6

¶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Psalms 49:7

None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

Matthew 6:2

Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

James 5:1

¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

James 5:6

Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.

James 2:6

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?