Devine Scripture

Luke 16:26

What does Luke 16:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:26 means

Abraham further explains that beyond their individual circumstances, there is an impassable and permanent "great gulf fixed" between the place of comfort and the place of torment. This gulf ensures that no one can cross from one side to the other, making their eternal destinies irrevocably sealed. This emphasizes the finality of judgment and the impossibility of changing one's eternal state after death, rejecting any notion of a second chance or movement between heaven and hell.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And in addition, there is a deep division fixed between us and you, so that those who might go from here to you are not able to do so, and no one may come from you to us.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and besides all these things, between us and you a great chasm is fixed, so that they who are willing to go over from hence unto you are not able, nor do they from thence to us pass through.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And besides all this, between us and you, there is fixed a great chaos: so that they who would pass from hence to you cannot, nor from thence come hither.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm is fixed, so that those who desire to pass hence to you cannot, nor do they who [desire to cross] from there pass over unto us.

Context

This verse directly builds on Abraham's explanation in verse 25, providing the definitive reason why the rich man's request for relief cannot be granted. The concept of the "great gulf fixed" is a crucial theological point, signifying the permanent and unalterable separation between the saved and the lost. This establishes the absolute finality of their eternal states before the rich man makes a final request for his family.

v.25But 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.

v.26This passage

v.27And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house;

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 50:22

    Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver:

  • Revelation 20:10

    And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

  • Malachi 3:18

    Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:4

    so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure;

  • Psalms 49:14

    They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd: And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there be no habitation for it.

  • Matthew 25:46

    And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

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