Luke 16:22

Easy-to-Read Version

"Later, Lazarus died. The angels took him and placed him in the arms of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

Parallel Translations

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And yt fortuned that the begger dyed and was caried by the angelles into Abrahas bosome. The riche man also died and was buried.

Hebrew Names Version
It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Avraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried.

International Standard Version
"One day the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.

New American Standard Bible
"Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's arms; and the rich man also died and was buried.

New Century Version
Later, Lazarus died, and the angels carried him to the arms of Abraham. The rich man died, too, and was buried.

Update Bible Version
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried:

Amplified Bible
"Now it happened that the poor man died and his spirit was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom (paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried.

English Standard Version
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,

World English Bible
It happened that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And the beggar died and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died and was buried:

Weymouth's New Testament
"But in course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and had a funeral.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And it was don, that the begger diede, and was borun of aungels in to Abrahams bosum.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

Berean Standard Bible
One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. And the rich man also died and was buried.

Contemporary English Version
The poor man died, and angels took him to the place of honor next to Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

Bible in Basic English
And in time the poor man came to his end, and angels took him to Abraham's breast. And the man of wealth came to his end, and was put in the earth.

Complete Jewish Bible
In time the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Avraham's side; the rich man also died and was buried.

Darby Translation
And it came to pass that the poor man died, and that he was carried away by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And the rich man also died and was buried.

Etheridge Translation
Now that poor man died, and angels conducted him to the bosom of Abraham: but that rich man also died, and was buried.

Murdock Translation
And so it was, that the poor man died; and angels transported him to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried.

King James Version (1611)
And it came to passe that the begger died, and was caried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome: the rich man also died, and was buried.

New Living Translation
"Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried,

New Life Bible
"The poor man who asked for food died. He was taken by the angels into the arms of Abraham. The rich man died also and was buried.

New Revised Standard
The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And it was so that the begger died, and was caried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome. The rich man also died, and was buried.

George Lamsa Translation
Now it happened that the poor man died, and the angels carried him into Abraham''s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried away by the messengers, into the bosom of Abraham. And, the rich man also, died, and was buried.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell.

Revised Standard Version
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried;

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And it came to passe, that the begger dyed, and was caryed by the Angels into Abrahams bosome. The riche man also dyed, and was buryed.

Good News Translation
The poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the feast in heaven. The rich man died and was buried,

Christian Standard Bible®
One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.

King James Version
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;

Lexham English Bible
Now it happened that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. And the rich man also died and was buried.

Literal Translation
And it happened, the poor one died and was carried away by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And the rich one also died and was buried.

Young's Literal Translation
`And it came to pass, that the poor man died, and that he was carried away by the messengers to the bosom of Abraham -- and the rich man also died, and was buried;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But it fortuned, that the poore man dyed, and was caried of the angels in to Abrahams bosome. The riche man dyed also, and was buried.

Mace New Testament (1729)
at length the beggar died: and was conveyed by the angels to Abraham's bower. the rich man died too, and was buried.

THE MESSAGE
"Then he died, this poor man, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell and in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance and Lazarus in his lap. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.'

New English Translation
"Now the poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.

New King James Version
So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

Simplified Cowboy Version
"Finally, old Lazarus gave up the ghost, and the angels carried him to sit beside Abraham at the great banquet in heaven.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom, and the rich man also died and was buried.

Contextual Overview

¹⁹ Jesus said, "There was a rich man who always dressed in the finest clothes. He was so rich that he was able to enjoy all the best things every day. ²⁰ There was also a very poor man named Lazarus. Lazarus' body was covered with sores. He was often put by the rich man's gate. ²¹ Lazarus wanted only to eat the scraps of food left on the floor under the rich man's table. And the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² "Later, Lazarus died. The angels took him and placed him in the arms of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ He was sent to the place of death and was in great pain. He saw Abraham far away with Lazarus in his arms. ²⁴ He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to me so that he can dip his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am suffering in this fire!' ²⁵ "But Abraham said, ‘My child, remember when you lived? You had all the good things in life. But Lazarus had nothing but problems. Now he is comforted here, and you are suffering. ²⁶ Also, there is a big pit between you and us. No one can cross over to help you, and no one can come here from there.' ²⁷ "The rich man said, ‘Then please, father Abraham, send Lazarus to my father's house on earth. ²⁸ I have five brothers. He could warn my brothers so that they will not come to this place of pain.'

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

that: Job 3:13-19, Isaiah 57:1, Isaiah 57:2, Revelation 14:13

was carried: Psalms 91:11, Psalms 91:12, Matthew 13:38-43, Matthew 24:31, Hebrews 2:14

Abraham's: Matthew 8:11, John 13:23, John 21:20

the rich: Luke 12:20, Job 21:13, Job 21:30-32, Psalms 49:6-12, Psalms 49:16-19, Psalms 73:18-20, Proverbs 14:32, Mark 8:36, James 1:11, 1 Peter 2:24

and was buried: 2 Kings 9:34, 2 Kings 9:35, Ecclesiastes 8:10, Isaiah 14:18, Isaiah 22:16

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:31 - lay my bones Job 3:19 - The small Job 4:21 - excellency Job 14:10 - where is he Job 21:32 - he be Job 24:19 - so doth Psalms 34:7 - The angel Psalms 49:9 - That he Psalms 49:19 - He Psalms 73:4 - no Psalms 73:17 - then Psalms 116:15 - Precious Proverbs 10:2 - Treasures Ecclesiastes 3:21 - knoweth Ecclesiastes 5:13 - riches Ecclesiastes 11:3 - if the tree Zephaniah 1:18 - their silver Matthew 10:28 - able Matthew 18:10 - their Mark 10:46 - begging Mark 13:27 - shall he Luke 16:3 - to beg John 1:18 - in the John 8:21 - and shall die 1 Timothy 6:7 - certain Hebrews 1:14 - minister Hebrews 6:12 - inherit James 2:5 - Hath not Revelation 21:12 - twelve angels

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass that the beggar died,.... The death of Christ was not a casual thing, a fortuitous event; it was agreed unto, and settled in the covenant of grace; it was spoken of by the prophets of the Old Testament; it was typified by the sacrifices of the law, and other things; it was foretold by Christ himself, and was the end of his coming into this world, wherein the great love, both of him and of his Father, is expressed; and is the main article of the Christian faith; so that this came to pass according to the decrees of God, the counsel, and covenant of peace, the will of Christ, and his predictions, and as the accomplishment of the law, and prophets: it was not a natural, but violent death which Christ died; and yet it was both voluntary and necessary; it was but once, and is of an eternal efficacy, and is a sacrifice acceptable to God; it was not for himself, or any sin of his, who knew none, nor for the angels, and their redemption, whose nature he did not assume; but for men, and for their sins. Christ died not merely as an example to them, or only to confirm his doctrines; but as a substitute, in the room and stead of his people; to atone for their sins, and satisfy divine justice; to procure the pardon of them in a way of justice; to take them away, and utterly abolish them; to bring in an everlasting righteousness; to obtain eternal redemption, and bring such nigh to God who were afar off, and that men might live through him now, and have eternal life by him hereafter:

and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: by Abraham's bosom is meant heaven, a phrase well known to the Jews, by which they commonly expressed the happiness of the future state: of Abraham's happy state they had no doubt; and when they spake of the happiness of another's, they sometimes signified it by going to Abraham; as when the mother of the seven sons, slain by Caesar, saw her youngest going to be sacrificed p

"she fell upon him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and said unto him, my son, לך אצל אברהם אביכם, "go to Abraham, your father", and tell him, thus saith my mother, c.''

and sometimes, as here, by being in his bosom. So it is said q, that Eliezer his servant (Abraham's, the same name with Lazarus)

מונה בחיקו, "is laid in his bosom": and which may refer to the account in the Talmud r, that when R. Benaah, the painter of caves, came to the cave of Abraham, he found Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, דקאי קמיה, "standing before him". And it is also said s of Rabbi, when he died, היום יושב בחיקו של אברהם, "this day he sits in the bosom of Abraham" for as it was usual with them to represent the joys of heaven by a feast, so the partaking of them, by sitting down at a table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; see Matthew 8:11 and as their manner at meals was by lying along on couches at eating; he that lay next another might be said to lie, or lean, in his bosom: hence Abraham's bosom came to signify the near and intimate enjoyment of happiness with him in the other world. The ascension of Christ is expressed by a being "carried up into heaven",

Luke 24:51 and here he is entered, and has been received, and will be retained, until the time of the restitution of all things; here he is glorified in human nature, sits at the right hand of God, and appears in his presence, on the behalf of his people; and indeed, the ends of his going there, were to receive gifts for them, to be their advocate and intercessor, to take possession of heaven in their name, and prepare that for them, and them for that; and hither "he was carried by angels": these were the chariots in which he rode; and these the guard that attended him, when he was seen, looked upon, and gazed at by them with adoration, faith, and wonder; which shows the ministration of angels to him, and seems to set forth the glory and magnificence in which he ascended; and this agrees with the notions of the Jews, that when good men die, their souls are immediately received by angels, and taken under their care, and carried to heaven. So one of their paraphrasts t having mentioned the garden of Eden, which is but another name for heaven with them, adds,

"into which no man can enter but the righteous, whose souls are "carried" thither, ביד מלאכיא, "in the hand", or "by the means" of angels.''

And elsewhere they say u,

"with the Shekinah come three ministering angels to receive the soul of a righteous man.''

Particularly it is said of Moses, at the time of his death w, that

"the holy blessed God descended from the highest heavens, to take the soul of Moses, and three ministering angels with him.''

And sometimes they say x, not only three angels, but three companies of angels attend at such a time: their words are these;

"when a righteous man departs out of the world, three companies of ministering angels meet him; one says to him, "come in peace"; and another says, "walking in his uprightness" and the other says, "he shall enter into peace", c.''

No mention is made in this parable of the burial of this man, nor any words used expressive of it, or that in the least hint it. The reason is, because Christ lay so short a time in the grave, and he was not left there, nor did he see corruption but in a very little while was raised from the dead, and delivered from the power of the grave; when, after some stay on earth, he was attended by angels to the highest heavens: for this is to be understood, not of his soul being had to paradise immediately upon his separation from the body; but of his ascension to heaven after his resurrection, when he was escorted by angels thither.

The rich man also died. This may be understood both of the natural death of the Scribes and Pharisees; who, though they were dignified persons, were as gods, yet were mortal, and died like men; see Psalms 82:6 compared with John 10:34 and they died in their sins, in their unbelief of the Messiah, and so were damned; in their impenitence and hardness of heart, for as they thought they needed no repentance, they were not called unto it; and in the sin against the Holy Ghost, blaspheming the miracles of Christ done by him, and which was a sin unto death; and under the power and guilt of all their other sins, and so were lost and perished. And it may also be understood of the political and ecclesiastical death of the Jewish people; which lay in the destruction of the city of Jerusalem, and of the temple, and in the abolition of the temple worship, and of the whole ceremonial law; a "Lo-ammi" was written upon their church state, and the covenant between God and them was broken; the Gospel was removed from them, which was as death, as the return of it, and their call by it, will be as life from the dead; as well as their place and nation, their civil power and authority were taken away from them by the Romans: and a death of afflictions, by captivity and calamities, of every kind, have attended them ever since. And it is to be observed, that Lazarus died before the rich man, as Christ died before the destruction of the Jewish polity and church state: the city and sanctuary were not destroyed, nor the daily sacrifice made to cease, nor the consummation, and that determined, poured upon the desolate, until some time after the Messiah was cut off, according to the prophecy in Daniel 7:26. Moreover, no mention is made of the rich man being carried by angels, as Lazarus was; and if he was, he was carried, not by the good, but by the evil angels, and not into Abraham's bosom, but to hell. So the Jews y say,

"if a soul is worthy, how many holy troops, or companies, are ready to join it, and bring it up into paradise? but if not worthy, how many strange troops are ready to bring it in the way of hell? these are the troops of the destroying angels.''

However, this is said of him, as is not of Lazarus,

and was buried: as wicked men are, when sometimes the saints are not; see Ecclesiastes 8:10. The Scribes and Pharisees, who were so diligent to build and garnish the sepulchres of the prophets, among their other instances of pride and vanity, took care, no doubt, to provide and erect stately monuments for themselves: and who were buried in great pomp and splendour. Though this may respect their church state, service, and ceremonies, which received their death blow at the crucifixion of Christ, but remained for some time unburied, it being with difficulty that these things were got under the feet of the church; and may also refer to the political state of the Jews, who, as a nation, are represented as in their graves, where they are to this day, and will be until they shall be turned unto the Lord, when they shall be brought out of their graves, and shall live and return to their own land, Ezekiel 37:12. The Vulgate Latin adds, "in hell"; but this belongs to the following verse.

p Echa Rabbati, fol. 49. 4. q In Sepher Emanah, c. 1. p. 20. r T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 58. 1. s T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 72. 2. Juchasin, fol. 75. 2. t Targum in Cant. iv. 12. u Midrash Haneelam in Zohar in Gen. fol. 65. 1. w Debarim Rabba, sect. 11. fol. 245. 4. x T. Bab. Cetubot, fol. 104. 1. y Zohar in Exod. fol. 39. 3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Was carried by the angels - The Jews held the opinion that the spirits of the righteous were conveyed by angels to heaven at their death. Our Saviour speaks in accordance with this opinion; and as he expressly affirms the fact, it seems as proper that it should be taken literally, as when it is said the rich man died and was buried. Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who are heirs of salvation Hebrews 1:14, and there is no more improbability in the supposition that they attend departing spirits to heaven, than that they attend them while on earth.

Abraham’s bosom - This is a phrase taken from the practice of reclining at meals, where the head of one lay on the bosom of another, and the phrase, therefore, denotes intimacy and friendship. See the notes at Matthew 23:6. Also John 13:23; John 21:20. The Jews had no doubt that Abraham was in paradise. To say that Lazarus was in his bosom was, therefore, the same as to say that he was admitted to heaven and made happy there. The Jews, moreover, boasted very much of being the friends of Abraham and of being his descendants, Matthew 3:9. To be his friend was, in their view, the highest honor and happiness. Our Saviour, therefore, showed them that this poor and afflicted man might be raised to the highest happiness, while the rich, who prided themselves on their being descended from Abraham, might be cast away and lost forever.

Was buried - This is not said of the poor man. Burial was thought to be an honor, and funerals were, as they are now, often expensive, splendid, and ostentatious. This is said of the rich man to show that he had “every” earthly honor, and all that the world calls happy and desirable.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 16:22. The rich man also died, and was buried — There is no mention of this latter circumstance in the case of Lazarus; he was buried, no doubt-necessity required this; but he had the burial of a pauper, while the pomp and pride of the other followed him to the tomb. But what a difference in these burials, if we take in the reading of my old MS. BIBLE, which is supported by several versions: forsothe the riche man is deed: and is buried in helle. And this is also the reading of the Anglo-saxon,: [A.S.], and was in hell buried. In some MSS. the point has been wanting after εταφη, he was buried; and the following και, and, removed and set before επαρας he lifted up: so that the passage reads thus: The rich man died also, and was buried in hell; and lifting up his eyes, being in torment, he saw, c. But let us view the circumstances of this man's punishment.

Scarcely had he entered the place of his punishment, when he lifted up his eyes on high and what must his surprise be, to see himself separated from God, and to feel himself tormented in that flame! Neither himself, nor friends, ever suspected that the way in which he walked could have led to such a perdition.

1. And seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, Luke 16:23. He sees Lazarus clothed with glory and immortality - this is the first circumstance in his punishment. What a contrast! What a desire does he feel to resemble him, and what rage and despair because he is not like him? We may safely conclude that the view which damned souls have, in the gulf of perdition, of the happiness of the blessed, and the conviction that they themselves might have eternally enjoyed this felicity, from which, through their own fault, they are eternally excluded, will form no mean part of the punishment of the lost.

2. The presence of a good to which they never had any right, and of which they are now deprived, affects the miserable less than the presence of that to which they had a right, and of which they are now deprived. Even in hell, a damned spirit must abhor the evil by which he is tormented, and desire that good that would free him from his torment. If a lost soul could be reconciled to its torment, and to its situation, then, of course, its punishment must cease to be such. An eternal desire to escape from evil, and an eternal desire to be united with the supreme good, the gratification of which is for ever impossible, must make a second circumstance in the misery of the lost.

3. Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, Luke 16:25. The remembrance of the good things possessed in life, and now to be enjoyed no more for ever, together with the remembrance of grace offered or abused, will form a third circumstance in the perdition of the ungodly. Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime, c.

4. The torments which a soul endures in the hell of fire will form, through all eternity, a continual present source of indescribable wo. Actual torment in the flames of the bottomless pit forms a fourth circumstance in the punishment of the lost. I am tormented in this flame, Luke 16:24.

5. The known impossibility of ever escaping from this place of torment, or to have any alleviation of one's misery in it, forms a fifth circumstance in the punishment of ungodly men. Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf, Luke 16:26. The eternal purpose of God, formed on the principles of eternal reason, separates the persons, and the places of abode, of the righteous and the wicked, so that there can be no intercourse: They who wish to pass over hence to you, cannot neither can they pass over, who would come from you hither. A happy spirit cannot go from heaven to alleviate their miseries; nor can any of them escape from the place of their confinement, to enter among the blessed. There may be a discovery from hell of the paradise of the blessed; but there can be no intercourse nor connection.

6. The iniquitous conduct of relatives and friends, who have been perverted by the bad example of those who are lost, is a source of present punishment to them; and if they come also to the same place of torment, must be, to those who mere the instruments of bringing them thither, an eternal source of anguish. Send Lazarus to my father's family, for I have five brothers, that he may earnestly testify (διαμαρτυρηται) to them, that they come not to this place of torment. These brothers had probably been influenced by his example to content themselves with an earthly portion, and to neglect their immortal souls. Those who have been instruments of bringing others into hell shall suffer the deeper perdition on that account.