But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Abraham responds: 'But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.' Abraham addresses him as 'Son' (τέκνον, teknon, child), acknowledging physical descent but unable to help. The command 'remember' (μνήσθητι, mnēsthēti) indicates conscious memory in eternity—the rich man recalls his earthly life, which intensifies his torment. The contrast: 'thou receivedst thy good things' (ἀπέλαβες τὰ ἀγαθά σου, apelabes ta agatha sou)—he consumed his blessing in this life. Lazarus received 'evil things' (κακά, kaka)—suffering was his earthly portion. 'But now' (νῦν δέ, nyn de) marks the great reversal: Lazarus is 'comforted' (παρακαλεῖται, parakaleitai), the rich man 'tormented' (ὀδυνᾶσαι, odynasai). Earthly conditions are temporary; eternal destinies are permanent.
Historical Context
This verse has been misinterpreted to teach that poverty saves and wealth damns. That's not Jesus' point. The rich man wasn't condemned for being wealthy but for living selfishly, ignoring Lazarus, trusting his riches, and refusing to use them for God's kingdom. Lazarus wasn't saved by poverty but by faith (implied by his destination with Abraham). The parable warns against consuming God's blessings selfishly while neglecting eternal investments. The reversal fulfills Jesus' teaching: 'Blessed are ye poor... woe unto you that are rich' (Luke 6:20, 24). The eternally crucial question isn't wealth or poverty but whether you lived for this world or the next.
Questions for Reflection
How does this verse relate to Jesus' beatitudes about the poor being blessed and the rich receiving woe?
What does the rich man's memory of his earthly life add to his torment?
How should this reversal principle shape Christian attitudes toward present suffering and prosperity?
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Analysis & Commentary
Abraham responds: 'But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.' Abraham addresses him as 'Son' (τέκνον, teknon, child), acknowledging physical descent but unable to help. The command 'remember' (μνήσθητι, mnēsthēti) indicates conscious memory in eternity—the rich man recalls his earthly life, which intensifies his torment. The contrast: 'thou receivedst thy good things' (ἀπέλαβες τὰ ἀγαθά σου, apelabes ta agatha sou)—he consumed his blessing in this life. Lazarus received 'evil things' (κακά, kaka)—suffering was his earthly portion. 'But now' (νῦν δέ, nyn de) marks the great reversal: Lazarus is 'comforted' (παρακαλεῖται, parakaleitai), the rich man 'tormented' (ὀδυνᾶσαι, odynasai). Earthly conditions are temporary; eternal destinies are permanent.