Luke 16:22
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
Original Language Analysis
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
1 of 23
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πτωχὸν
that the beggar
G4434
πτωχὸν
that the beggar
Strong's:
G4434
Word #:
5 of 23
akin to g4422 and the alternate of g4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e., pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used i
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
G846
αὐτὸν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 23
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὑπὸ
by
G5259
ὑπὸ
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
9 of 23
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγγέλων
the angels
G32
ἀγγέλων
the angels
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
11 of 23
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 23
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.Revelation 14:13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.Proverbs 14:32The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.James 1:11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.Mark 8:36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?Ecclesiastes 8:10And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.John 13:23Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.Hebrews 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?Job 21:13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Historical Context
Jewish theology understood 'Abraham's bosom' as the place of honor next to Abraham at the messianic banquet (Matthew 8:11). Being 'in Abraham's bosom' meant intimate fellowship with the patriarch and sharing in covenant blessings. That angels carried Lazarus emphasizes divine care for the righteous poor (Hebrews 1:14). The rich man's burial likely was expensive and well-attended, but Jesus mentions no angels, no Abraham, no heavenly welcome. The parable demolishes the prosperity gospel's claim that earthly wealth indicates God's favor. Often the opposite is true—wealth can spiritually blind and eternally destroy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Lazarus' angel escort and Abraham's welcome contrast with the rich man's lonely burial?
- What does this passage teach about the moment of death for believers versus unbelievers?
- How should belief in immediate conscious existence after death shape Christian living?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The great reversal begins: 'And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried.' Death equalizes: both men die. But their destinations differ radically. Lazarus 'was carried by the angels' (ἀπενεχθῆναι αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγγέλων, apenechthēnai auton hypo tōn angelōn)—divine escort to 'Abraham's bosom' (εἰς τὸν κόλπον Ἀβραάμ, eis ton kolpon Abraam), a Jewish expression for paradise, the righteous's resting place. The rich man 'died, and was buried' (ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἐτάφη, apethanen kai etaphē)—probably an elaborate funeral, but nothing about angels or Abraham's welcome. Material wealth provided no advantage at death. Eternity reveals reality: Lazarus was truly rich, the rich man truly poor.