Luke 16:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸς
G846
αὐτὸς
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 30
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
φωνήσας
he cried
G5455
φωνήσας
he cried
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
3 of 30
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
Πάτερ
Father
G3962
Πάτερ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
5 of 30
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἐλέησόν
have mercy
G1653
ἐλέησόν
have mercy
Strong's:
G1653
Word #:
7 of 30
to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πέμψον
send
G3992
πέμψον
send
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
10 of 30
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
βάψῃ
he may dip
G911
βάψῃ
he may dip
Strong's:
G911
Word #:
13 of 30
to whelm, i.e., cover wholly with a fluid; in the new testament only in a qualified or special sense, i.e., (literally) to moisten (a part of one's pe
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 30
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γλῶσσάν
tongue
G1100
γλῶσσάν
tongue
Strong's:
G1100
Word #:
23 of 30
the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
25 of 30
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
Revelation 22:1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.John 4:10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.Revelation 20:15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.Luke 3:8Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.Luke 16:30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.James 3:6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.Zechariah 14:12And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.James 2:13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Historical Context
The rich man's address to Abraham exposes the futility of trusting ethnic or religious heritage for salvation. Being Abraham's descendant provided no advantage in eternity. His request for Lazarus to serve him—even in hell!—reveals unrepentant pride and presumption. He still sees Lazarus as inferior, suitable only for menial service. This demonstrates that hell doesn't reform character but reveals it. The modest request (just a fingertip of water) emphasizes hell's intensity—even minimal relief would be treasured. Jesus' description of literal flames contradicts attempts to spiritualize hell as merely separation from God. It's both relational estrangement and physical torment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the rich man's continued presumption (expecting Lazarus to serve him even in hell) teach about unrepentant character?
- How does the request for minimal relief emphasize hell's severity?
- What does trusting religious heritage ('Father Abraham') rather than personal faith reveal about false security?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The first request: '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.' The rich man addresses 'Father Abraham' (Πάτερ Ἀβραάμ, Pater Abraam), claiming covenant relationship, but Abraham cannot help. His plea 'have mercy on me' (ἐλέησόν με, eleēson me) comes too late—mercy's day has passed. The request is modest—just 'the tip of his finger' (τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ δακτύλου αὐτοῦ, to akron tou daktylou autou) dipped in water to cool his tongue. This minimal request highlights his desperation and the severity of 'this flame' (τῇ φλογὶ ταύτῃ, tē phlogi tautē). Hell's torment is literally fiery, not merely metaphorical discomfort.