Luke 16 24

Luke 16:24 kjv

And 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 tormented in this flame.

Luke 16:24 nkjv

"Then 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 tormented in this flame.'

Luke 16:24 niv

So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

Luke 16:24 esv

And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'

Luke 16:24 nlt

"The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'

Luke 16 verses

Luke 16 24 Meaning

Luke 16:24 presents the first spoken words of the rich man after his death, immediately upon finding himself in torment. From a place of agony in Hades, he desperately appeals to Father Abraham, begging for mercy. His plea is not for full deliverance but for even the slightest alleviation of his suffering – specifically, for Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, as he is consumed by anguish in the flame. This verse dramatically depicts the immediate and intense suffering of the unrighteous dead.

Luke 16 24 Context

Luke 16:24 is situated within the "Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus" (Lk 16:19-31), which Jesus tells directly after rebuking the money-loving Pharisees who scoffed at His teaching (Lk 16:14-15). The broader context of Luke 16 deals with the responsible use of wealth, faithfulness, and the radical reversal of fortunes between this life and the next for those who choose God or mammon. This parable highlights the fate of individuals based on their choices during their lifetime. The rich man lived in lavish self-indulgence, seemingly indifferent to Lazarus, the poor man who lay at his gate full of sores. Upon death, their situations are completely reversed: Lazarus is carried to Abraham's side (a state of comfort and blessedness), while the rich man finds himself in Hades, suffering torment. Verse 24 marks the rich man's realization of his inescapable doom and his desperate, futile cry for relief. The parable implicitly challenges contemporary Jewish beliefs that earthly prosperity was always a sign of divine favor, demonstrating that true blessing lies in faithfulness and compassion rather than material wealth alone, and that there is a stark and fixed division after death for those who choose not to heed God's warnings in this life.

Luke 16 24 Word analysis

• He cried (ἔκραξεν - ekraxen): From the verb κράζω (krazō), meaning to cry out, shriek, or scream. It denotes a loud, urgent, and often distressed outcry. This signifies the rich man's extreme pain and desperation, indicating a sudden, sharp realization of his plight and an instinctive reaction to intense suffering.

• and said (καὶ εἶπεν - kai eipen): Follows ekraxen, suggesting the specific content of his loud cry.

• ‘Father Abraham,’ (Πάτερ Ἀβραάμ - Pater Abraam): Calling on Abraham as his spiritual and ethnic ancestor. In Jewish thought, Abraham was considered the father of the nation, and appeal to him was a claim to a covenant relationship. This highlights the rich man's misconception that his lineage alone or a perceived historical connection could guarantee favor or intercession in the afterlife.

• ‘have mercy on me (ἐλέησόν με - eleēson me): A common plea for pity, help, or compassion addressed to God or powerful figures (cf. blind beggars to Jesus). This signifies a recognition of helplessness and a desperate need for divine intervention, despite having shown no mercy in life.

• and send (καὶ πέμψον - kai pempson): A command or strong request, still reflecting a lingering sense of entitlement, though now in desperation. He seeks Lazarus, the one he once ignored.

• Lazarus (Λάζαρον - Lazaros): A common Jewish name, derived from Eleazar, meaning "God is my helper." This is highly significant in the narrative. The poor man, previously ignored, is now recognized and needed by the rich man, highlighting a profound reversal and the rich man's reliance on someone he scorned.

• that he may dip (ἵνα βάψῃ - hina bapsē): Purpose clause, indicating the rich man's desired action. From baptō, "to dip," indicating a small, precise action.

• the tip of his finger (τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ δακτύλου αὐτοῦ - to akron tou daktylou autou): An incredibly minuscule amount. This detail vividly conveys the intensity of the rich man's agony; even the most trivial relief is sought. It emphasizes his extreme suffering where any comfort, however small, would be significant.

• in water (ὕδατος - hydatos): Water is a universal symbol of life, relief, and refreshment, particularly in arid lands. Its absence signifies extreme dehydration and torment.

• and cool (καὶ καταψύξῃ - kai katapsyxē): From katapsychō, meaning to cool, refresh, or relieve heat. Directing this action towards his tongue indicates the source and nature of his torment, often associated with thirst, fiery pain, and the ability to speak.

• my tongue (τὴν γλῶσσάν μου - tēn glōssan mou): The tongue is a symbol of speech and also directly connected to thirst and heat in the mouth. The torment focuses on this specific part of his body, signifying immense suffering perhaps also tied to his past use of his tongue (e.g., in boastful living or scoffing).

• for I am in anguish (ὅτι ὀδυνῶμαι - hoti odynōmai): From odynaō, meaning to be in great pain, agony, or torment. It is an intense, sharp pain, a visceral suffering. This phrase directly and unequivocally confirms the rich man's dreadful state.

• in this flame (ἐν τῇ φλογὶ ταύτῃ - en tē phlogi tautē): "This flame" indicates an immediate, palpable, and ongoing torment. The imagery of fire is consistently used in Scripture to describe divine judgment and suffering (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah, hellfire). It speaks of active, destructive punishment.

• ‘Father Abraham,’ have mercy on me and send Lazarus: This phrase encapsulates the rich man's continued self-focus and distorted view of the afterlife. He calls upon Abraham as an authority figure, not in humble submission, but still in a transactional manner, requesting Abraham to dispatch Lazarus as a servant, reminiscent of how he might have ordered his earthly servants. His plea for "mercy" is entirely self-serving.

• dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame: This detailed, graphic description serves to emphasize the vivid and tangible reality of post-mortem suffering for the unrighteous. The request for such a tiny amount of relief highlights the absolute desolation of his situation and the severity of his torment, indicating an inescapable and immediate physical anguish in the afterlife.

Luke 16 24 Bonus section

The rich man's suffering being specifically related to his "tongue" in "this flame" has led some to interpret it metaphorically, relating it to the rich man's abuse of his mouth/words or luxurious feasting during his lifetime, but the primary thrust is literal agony. The term Hades (Ἅδης - Hadēs) in the New Testament generally refers to the realm of the dead, distinct from Gehenna (Gehenna), which refers to the place of ultimate eternal punishment. However, in this parable, the description of Hades includes a "flame" and "anguish," blurring the lines and emphasizing that it is a place of conscious suffering. Some scholars consider this section of the parable more of a theological warning dressed in a story rather than a precise mapping of the afterlife, yet it effectively conveys the reality and severity of the judgment for the unrepentant. The parable underscores that the time for repentance and showing mercy is during one's earthly life, not after death.

Luke 16 24 Commentary

Luke 16:24 provides a stark portrayal of the post-mortem reality for one who has rejected God's call to compassion and humility in this life. The rich man's sudden plea from Hades immediately reveals several crucial theological points: the conscious awareness of the dead, the experience of torment, and the unalterable nature of one's destiny after death. His appeal to "Father Abraham" is deeply ironic; his lineage cannot save him from the consequences of a life devoid of spiritual fruit and compassion. He seeks a connection he had neglected to foster through obedience to God. His desperate request for a mere drop of water symbolizes the extreme torment, depicting suffering as intensely physical and real. The imagery of "flame" points to the righteous judgment of God upon the ungodly. The scene conveys that, in the afterlife, even the smallest comfort is unattainable for those consigned to torment, and there are no second chances or crossing points between the blessed and the condemned once life is over. The parable thus functions as a grave warning against covetousness, self-indulgence, and neglect of God's Word concerning compassion and eternal judgment.