Devine Scripture

Luke 16:20

What does Luke 16:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:20 means

In stark contrast to the rich man, a beggar named Lazarus is introduced, laid at the rich man's gate, symbolizing acute poverty and utter helplessness. His body is covered with sores, indicating severe suffering and neglect. The detail of him being "laid at his gate" implies that the rich man was aware of Lazarus's presence and condition, yet did nothing to alleviate his suffering. This immediate juxtaposition highlights the vast social and economic chasm between the two men.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a certain poor man, named Lazarus, was stretched out at his door, full of wounds,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and there was a certain poor man, by name Lazarus, who was laid at his porch, full of sores,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And [there was] a poor man, by name Lazarus, [who] was laid at his gateway full of sores,

Context

Following the description of the rich man's opulence in verse 19, this verse immediately introduces Lazarus, vividly portraying his extreme poverty and suffering. The careful placement of Lazarus at the rich man's gate creates an intentional and striking visual contrast, establishing the moral dilemma of the rich man's inaction and setting the stage for the exploration of their eternal fates in the subsequent verses. Their differing living conditions are central to the parable's message.

v.19Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:

v.20This passage

v.21and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 3:2

    And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

  • Isaiah 1:6

    From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and fresh stripes: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with oil.

  • James 2:5

    Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?

  • Job 2:7

    So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

  • Luke 18:35

    And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

  • Psalms 34:19

    Many are the afflictions of the righteous; But Jehovah delivereth him out of them all.

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