Devine Scripture

Luke 16:23

What does Luke 16:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:23 means

In Hades (the realm of the dead), the rich man lifts his eyes, experiencing torment. From his place of anguish, he sees Abraham far off, and with him, Lazarus in a place of comfort. This vision confirms the rich man's suffering and visually contrasts it with Lazarus's blessed state. The rich man's ability to see Abraham and Lazarus establishes a clear, conscious awareness of his eternal separation and the comfort his former neglected neighbor now enjoys, intensifying his agony.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And in hell, being in great pain, lifting up his eyes he saw Abraham, far away, and Lazarus on his breast.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and in the hades having lifted up his eyes, being in torments, he doth see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And in hades lifting up his eyes, being in torments, he sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Context

Following the description of both men's deaths in verse 22 and Lazarus's ascension to Abraham's bosom, this verse immediately plunges the rich man into conscious torment in Hades. It dramatically establishes the second act of the parable, setting up the rich man's desperate plea to Abraham and the subsequent dialogue that will unfold over the next several verses, explaining the irreversible nature of their eternal states.

v.22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

v.23This passage

v.24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 15:24

    To the wise the way of lifegoethupward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath.

  • Luke 13:28

    There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without.

  • Matthew 23:33

    Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?

  • Matthew 8:29

    And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

  • Proverbs 9:18

    But he knoweth not that the dead are there; That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

  • Revelation 20:13

    And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

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