The Rich Man and Lazarus

The words

Luke 16:19–31 (opens a new tab)

1. Abraham's Bosom

   At Abraham’s side, in the NET’s wording.

   Luke says the angels carry Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom after his death. The NET renders this as Abraham’s side; the rich man later sees Lazarus there while calling to Abraham for mercy.

   Luke 16:22–24 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 16:19-31 (opens a new tab)

2. Beggar

   Lazarus lies at the rich man’s gate, covered with sores and longing for food from his table. Luke names the beggar but gives no personal name for the rich man.

   Did you know?

   Deuteronomy 15:7–8 speaks of a poor person “within any of thy gates.” It commands an open hand and a loan sufficient for the person’s need.

   Luke 16:19–21 (opens a new tab) · Deuteronomy 15:7–8 (opens a new tab)

3. Cool

   The rich man calls to Abraham for mercy and asks that Lazarus bring water on his fingertip to cool his tongue. He describes his suffering in the flame; the requested relief is not narrated.

   Luke 16:24–26 (opens a new tab)

4. Fine Linen

   Fine linen and purple clothing introduce the rich man, alongside his lavish daily meals. Luke immediately places Lazarus at his gate, longing to eat what falls from the rich man’s table.

   Luke 16:19–21 (opens a new tab)

5. Finger

   A fingertip dipped in water is part of the rich man’s request that Abraham send Lazarus to cool his tongue. Abraham instead recalls their contrasting lives and explains the fixed separation between them.

   Luke 16:24–26 (opens a new tab)

6. Five Brethren

   Five brothers.

   After Abraham describes the fixed gulf, the rich man asks that Lazarus be sent to his father’s house to warn his five brothers. Abraham answers that they have Moses and the prophets to hear.

   Luke 16:26–29 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 16:19-31 (opens a new tab)

7. Flame

   The rich man says he is tormented in the flame and asks for water to cool his tongue. Abraham’s answer contrasts Lazarus’s comfort with his suffering and describes a gulf that cannot be crossed.

   Luke 16:24–26 (opens a new tab)

8. Great Gulf

   A deep, impassable separation in the story.

   Abraham describes a great gulf fixed between Lazarus’s place of comfort and the rich man’s place of torment. He says people cannot cross in either direction; the NET calls the separation a great chasm.

   Luke 16:25–26 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 16:19-31 (opens a new tab)

9. Licked

   Dogs come and lick Lazarus’s sores while he lies at the rich man’s gate, longing for food. Luke places this detail before describing the deaths of Lazarus and the rich man.

   Luke 16:20–22 (opens a new tab)

10. Lifetime

    Abraham asks the rich man to remember the good things he received during life and the bad things Lazarus experienced. He then contrasts their former circumstances with Lazarus’s comfort and the rich man’s torment.

    Luke 16:25 (opens a new tab)

11. Persuaded

    Convinced; brought to believe.

    The rich man argues that a visitor from the dead would lead his brothers to repent. Abraham answers that those who do not hear Moses and the prophets would remain unconvinced even by a resurrection.

    Luke 16:29–31 (opens a new tab)

12. Purple

    Purple is paired with fine linen in the description of the rich man’s clothing. The NET note explains that the term refers to clothing colored with an expensive dye, emphasizing the man’s wealth.

    Luke 16:19 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 16:19-31 (opens a new tab)

13. Rich Man

    Luke introduces the rich man through his purple and linen clothing and daily feasting. After his death and burial, he appeals to Abraham first for relief, then for a warning to his brothers.

    Luke 16:19, 22–24, 27–28 (opens a new tab)

14. Sores

    Sores cover Lazarus as he lies at the gate, longing for food from the rich man’s table. The dogs lick those sores; the next scene describes his death and the angels carrying him to Abraham.

    Luke 16:20–22 (opens a new tab)

15. Sumptuously

    Lavishly; with great expense.

    The rich man fares sumptuously every day: Luke describes an ongoing life of lavish meals, contrasted with Lazarus’s hunger at the gate. The NET translation makes the meal sense explicit with feasted.

    Luke 16:19–21 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: Luke 16:19-31 (opens a new tab)