Luke 16:19-31
Summary for Luke 16:19-31: 16:19-31 a This parable reiterates the theme of the danger of riches introduced in 16:13-15 b and returns to the idea that the coming of God’s Kingdom will mean the reversal of fortunes. The rich, proud, and powerful will be humbled and brought low, while the poor, humble, and oppressed will be exalted. 16:19 c Purple was the color of royalty; Phoenician purple was an expensive dye made from mollusks.16:21 d the dogs would come and lick his open sores: This is an image of misery and poverty. In Jewish culture, dogs were detestable, unclean scavengers.
16:22 e carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham (literally into Abraham’s bosom): The Greek suggests a banquet at which guests reclined around a low table (see John 13:23 f). Lazarus was taken to the messianic banquet in the Kingdom of God (see Luke 14:1-24 g).
16:23 h The place of the dead (Greek Hades) can refer to the grave (death) generally, or to the place where the wicked go after death, as here.
16:24 i I am in anguish in these flames: See Matt 25:41 j; Rev 20:10 k, 14-15 l.
• Send Lazarus: Ironically, the man was still treating Lazarus as a lowly servant.
16:26 m No one can cross over to you from here: A person’s state after death is permanent.
16:31 n they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead: Wicked people refuse to repent even when faced with overwhelming evidence of the truth.
Copyright information for
TNotes