Devine Scripture

Luke 16:25

What does Luke 16:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:25 means

Abraham responds by reminding the rich man of their earthly lives. He points out that the rich man had received all his "good things" during his lifetime, while Lazarus had endured "evil things." Now, their situations are eternally reversed: Lazarus is comforted, and the rich man is in anguish. This explanation reveals that the rich man's sin was not merely wealth itself, but his selfish indulgence and neglect of the suffering poor like Lazarus. His earthly choices determined his eternal destiny.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Abraham said, Keep in mind, my son, that when you were living, you had your good things, while Lazarus had evil things: but now, he is comforted and you are in pain.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And Abraham said, Child, remember that thou did receive--thou--thy good things in thy life, and Lazarus in like manner the evil things, and now he is comforted, and thou art distressed;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted and thou art tormented.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Abraham said, Child, recollect that thou hast fully received thy good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazarus evil things. But now he is comforted here, and thou art in suffering.

Context

Abraham's response in this verse directly answers the rich man's plea in verse 24. It provides the theological rationale for the reversal of their fates, establishing that earthly lives and choices have eternal consequences. This explanation is crucial for understanding the parable's message about stewardship and compassion, and it immediately sets up Abraham's further explanation of the fixed spiritual divide in verse 26.

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.

v.25This passage

v.26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 2:15

    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  • Luke 16:23

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

  • Job 21:13

    They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.

  • Psalms 73:12

    Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

  • Luke 16:20

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

  • Lamentations 1:7

    Jerusalem remembereth in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that were from the days of old: When her people fell into the hand of the adversary, and none did help her, The adversaries saw her, they did mock at her desolations.

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