Luke 16:23
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾅδῃ
hell
G86
ᾅδῃ
hell
Strong's:
G86
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, unseen, i.e., "hades" or the place (state) of departed souls
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
7 of 22
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 22
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
ὑπάρχων
being
G5225
ὑπάρχων
being
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
9 of 22
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
ὁρᾷ
and seeth
G3708
ὁρᾷ
and seeth
Strong's:
G3708
Word #:
12 of 22
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
off
G575
ἀπὸ
off
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
2 Peter 2:4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;Psalms 9:17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.Matthew 23:33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?Matthew 18:9And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.Luke 16:28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.Revelation 20:10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.Isaiah 14:9Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.Isaiah 14:15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.Matthew 5:22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.Matthew 5:29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Historical Context
This passage provides crucial revelation about intermediate state between death and resurrection. Contra annihilationism, the rich man consciously exists in torment. Contra soul sleep, he's fully aware. Contra universalism, his condition isn't temporary—the great gulf (v. 26) is fixed. Jesus teaches that hell is real, conscious, torturous, and irreversible. The parable doesn't detail hell's full nature (final judgment after resurrection will be worse, Revelation 20:11-15), but establishes that unbelievers immediately enter conscious suffering at death. This contradicts popular notions that death ends existence or that everyone eventually goes to heaven. Hell is Jesus' clearest teaching.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' vivid description of hell challenge contemporary attempts to soften or eliminate this doctrine?
- What does seeing Abraham and Lazarus add to the rich man's torment?
- How should belief in hell's reality affect Christian evangelism and urgency?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The rich man's torment: 'And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.' The location is 'hell' (ᾅδῃ, hadē, Hades)—the place of the dead, here specifically the compartment of torment. He 'lift up his eyes' (ἐπάρας τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ, eparas tous ophthalmous autou) suggests conscious awareness. He is 'in torments' (ἐν βασάνοις, en basanois, in tortures)—plural, indicating multiple forms of suffering. He sees Abraham 'afar off' (ἀπὸ μακρόθεν, apo makrothen) and Lazarus 'in his bosom'—the recognition increases his anguish. The man who ignored Lazarus at his gate now sees him honored while he suffers. Hell involves both physical torment and psychological anguish—seeing what you've lost.