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Wednesday, November 6th, 2024
the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Easy-to-Read Version

Luke 16:24

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!'

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Abraham;   Dead (People);   Death;   Hell;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Rich, the;   Righteous;   Torments;   Wicked (People);   Worldliness;   Scofield Reference Index - Parables;   Thompson Chain Reference - Accumulation of Wealth;   Earthly;   Eternal;   Everlasting;   Future State of the Wicked;   Future, the;   Poverty-Riches;   Punishment;   Riches, Earthly;   Treasures, Earthly;   Wealth;   Words of Christ;   The Topic Concordance - Damnation;   Wealth;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Death, Eternal;   Happiness of the Wicked, the;   Parables;   Punishment of the Wicked, the;   Riches;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Lazarus;   Parable;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Food;   Government;   Justice;   Lazarus;   Lending;   Luke, gospel of;   Mercy;   Sheol;   Wealth;   Work;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Abraham's Bosom;   Death, Mortality;   Eternal Punishment;   Ethics;   Fire;   Hades;   Hell;   Hospitality;   Immortality;   Intermediate State;   Jesus Christ;   Lake of Fire;   Statute;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Hell;   Lazarus;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Divination;   Eleazar;   Elisha;   Lazarus;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Abraham;   Dives;   Intermediate State;   Lazarus;   Leprosy;   Luke, Gospel of;   Parables;   Wrath, Wrath of God;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Descent into Hades;   Devil;   Ethics;   Lazarus;   Mercy, Merciful;   Parable;   Sin;   Water;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abraham;   Almsgiving ;   Baptism;   Beggar;   Bosom ;   Boyhood of Jesus;   Church (2);   Claim;   Common Life;   Discourse;   Dives;   Ebionism (2);   Fathers;   Heart;   Hell ;   Judgment;   Judgment Damnation;   Lazarus;   Man (2);   Mercy;   Parable;   Property (2);   Reality;   Restoration;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Sympathy;   Torment (2);   Water (2);   Wealth (2);   Winter ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Lazarus ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Lazarus;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Laz'arus;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Fire;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Baptism (the Baptist Interpretation);   Cool;   Cry, Crying;   Immortal;   Lazarus;   Pain;   Parable;   Punishment, Everlasting;   Wealth;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Abraham's Bosom;   Media;   Sheol;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for September 4;   Every Day Light - Devotion for December 22;  

Parallel Translations

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and he cryed and sayd: father Abraham have mercy on me and sende Lazarus that he maye dippe the tippe of his fynger in water and cole my tonge: for I am tourmented in this flame.
Hebrew Names Version
He cried and said, 'Father Avraham, have mercy on me, and send El'azar, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.'
International Standard Version
So he shouted, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and to cool off my tongue, because I am suffering in this fire.'Isaiah 66:24; Zechariah 14:12; Mark 9:44;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
"And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
New Century Version
He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering in this fire!'
Update Bible Version
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 in anguish in this flame.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
Amplified Bible
"And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in severe agony in this flame.'
English Standard Version
And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'
World English Bible
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 in anguish in this flame.'
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Weymouth's New Testament
So he cried aloud, and said, "`Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he criede, and seide, Fadir Abraham, haue merci on me, and sende Lazarus, that he dippe the ende of his fyngur in watir, to kele my tunge; for Y am turmentid in this flawme.
English Revised Version
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 in anguish in this flame.
Berean Standard Bible
So he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.'
Contemporary English Version
he said to Abraham, "Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I'm suffering terribly in this fire."
American Standard Version
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 in anguish in this flame.
Bible in Basic English
And he gave a cry and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may put the end of his finger in water and put it on my tongue, for I am cruelly burning in this flame.
Complete Jewish Bible
He called out, ‘Father Avraham, take pity on me, and send El‘azar just to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, because I'm in agony in this fire!'
Darby Translation
And he crying out said, Father Abraham, have compassion on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.
Etheridge Translation
And he cried with a high voice, and said, My father Abraham, have compassion upon me, and send Loózar, that he may dip the top of his finger in waters, and moisten my tongue; for, behold, I am tormented in this flame.
Murdock Translation
And he called with a loud voice, and said: Abraham, my father, have pity on me; and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and moisten my tongue; for, lo, I am tormented in this flame.
King James Version (1611)
And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, haue mercy on mee, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and coole my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.
New Living Translation
"The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'
New Life Bible
He cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, take pity on me. Send Lazarus. Let him put the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in much pain in this fire.'
New Revised Standard
He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.'
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then he cried, and saide, Father Abraham, haue mercie on mee, and sende Lazarus that hee may dippe the tip of his finger in water, & coole my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.
George Lamsa Translation
And he called in a loud voice and said, O my father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and wet my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, he, calling out, said - Father Abraham! have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, - because I am in anguish in this flame.
Douay-Rheims Bible
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 to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.
Revised Standard Version
And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Laz'arus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.'
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he cryed and sayde: father Abraham, haue mercie on me, and sende Lazarus that he may dippe the tippe of his fynger in water, and coole my tongue: for I am tormented in this flambe.
Good News Translation
So he called out, ‘Father Abraham! Take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue, because I am in great pain in this fire!'
Christian Standard Bible®
‘Father Abraham!’
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
And he called out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering pain in this flame!'
Literal Translation
And calling he said, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.
Young's Literal Translation
and having cried, he said, Father Abraham, deal kindly with me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and may cool my tongue, because I am distressed in this flame.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and he cried, and sayde: Father Abraham, haue mercy vpon me, and sende Lazarus, that he maye dyppe the typpe of his fynger in water, & coole my tonge, for I am tormeted in this flame.
Mace New Testament (1729)
and he cry'd out, saying, father Abraham, take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
New English Translation
So he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this fire.'
New King James Version
"Then 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.'
Simplified Cowboy Version
"The rich man hollered, 'Abraham! My ancestor, please help me! Send Lazarus with just a drip of water to drop on my tongue. I am burning alive, and I cannot stand the pain of the flames.'
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
Legacy Standard Bible
And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'

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

Father: Luke 16:30, Luke 3:8, Matthew 3:9, John 8:33-39, John 8:53-56, Romans 4:12, Romans 9:7, Romans 9:8

have: 1 Samuel 28:16, Isaiah 27:11, James 2:13

in water: Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 41:18, Isaiah 65:13, Isaiah 65:14, John 4:10, John 4:14, John 7:37, Revelation 7:16, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 22:1

and cool: Zechariah 14:12, James 3:6

for: Isaiah 66:24, Matthew 25:41, Mark 9:43-49, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Revelation 14:10, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:15

Reciprocal: Job 14:22 - his soul Job 20:17 - shall not see Job 20:21 - none of his meat be left Psalms 49:17 - he shall Psalms 112:10 - desire Psalms 119:155 - for they Proverbs 21:17 - loveth Proverbs 22:16 - he that giveth Jeremiah 2:25 - Withhold Ezekiel 32:21 - strong Zechariah 9:11 - out Matthew 5:22 - hell Matthew 13:42 - cast Matthew 18:8 - everlasting Matthew 25:8 - Give Mark 9:46 - General Luke 9:25 - what Luke 13:16 - being Luke 16:25 - Son John 4:13 - Whosoever Hebrews 10:27 - fiery James 2:21 - Abraham

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he cried and said, father Abraham,.... The Jews used to call Abraham their father, and were proud of their descent from him, Matthew 3:9 and so persons are after death represented by them, as speaking to, and discoursing with him; as in the passage cited in the note Matthew 3:9- : to which the following may be added c;

"says R. Jonathan, from whence does it appear that the dead discourse with each other? it is said, Deuteronomy 34:4 "And the Lord said unto him, this is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying", c. what is the meaning of the word "saying?" the holy blessed God said to Moses, "go say to Abraham", c.''

And here the Jews, in their distress, are represented as applying to him, saying,

have mercy on me, and send Lazarus which seems to have respect to the mercy promised to Abraham, the covenant made with him, and the oath swore unto him, to send the Messiah, Luke 1:70 and which now, too late, these wretched Jews plead, the Messiah being sent already:

that he may dip the tip of his finger in water in allusion to the washings and purifications among the Jews, and the sprinkling of blood by the finger of the high priest; which were typical of cleansing, pardon, comfort, and refreshment, by the grace and blood of Christ:

and cool my tongue; which had spoken so many scurrilous and blasphemous things of Christ; saying that he was a sinner, a glutton, and a winebibber, a Samaritan, and had a devil; that he cast out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils; and that he was a seditious person, and guilty of blasphemy: so the Jews represent persons in hell, desirous of cooling water, and as sometimes favoured with it, and sometimes not: they say d, he that reads "Keriat Shema, (i.e. hear, O Israel", c.) and very accurately examines the letters of it, מצננין, "they cool hell for him", as it is said,

Psalms 68:14. And elsewhere e, they speak of a disciple, or good man, that was seen after death amidst gardens, and orchards, and fountains of water and of a publican, or wicked man, seen standing by the bank of a river, seeking ממטי מיא ולא מטי, "to come to the water, but could not come at it". So Mahomet f has a passage that is somewhat like to this text;

"the inhabitants of hell fire, shall call to the inhabitants of paradise, saying, pour upon us some water, or of those refreshments God hath bestowed on you.''

This man could not so much as get a drop of water to cool his tongue, not the least refreshment, nor mitigation of the anguish of his conscience, for the sins of his tongue:

for I am tormented in this flame; in the destruction of Jerusalem, and calamities at Bither, and other afflictions; together with the wrath of God poured into the conscience, and the bitter remorses of that for speaking against the Messiah; and which are still greater in hell, where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.

c T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 18. 2. d Ib. fol. 15. 2. e T. Hieros. Sanhedrin, fol. 23. 3. & Chagiga, fol, 77. 4. f Koran, c. 7. p. 121. (sura 7:50)

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Father Abraham - The Jews considered it a signal honor that Abraham was their “father” - that is, that they were “descendants” from him. Though this man was now in misery, yet he seems not to have abandoned the idea of his relation to the father of the faithful. The Jews supposed that departed spirits might know and converse with each other. See Lightfoot on this place. Our Saviour speaks in conformity with that prevailing opinion; and as it was not easy to convey ideas about the spiritual world without some such representation, he, therefore, speaks in the language which was usual in his time. We are not, however, to suppose that this was “literally” true, but only that it was designed to represent more clearly the sufferings of the rich man in hell.

Have mercy on me - Pity me. The rich man is not represented as calling on “God.” The mercy of God will be at an end when the soul is lost. Nor did he “ask” to be released from that place. Lost spirits “know” that their sufferings will have no end, and that it would be in vain to ask to escape the place of torment. Nor does he ask to be admitted where Lazarus was. He had no “desire” to be in a holy place, and he well knew that there was no restoration to those who once sink down to hell.

Send Lazarus - This shows how low he was reduced, and how the circumstances of people change when they die. Just before, Lazarus was laid at his gate full of sores; now he is happy in heaven. Just before, he had nothing to give, and the rich man could expect to derive no benefit from him; now he asks, as the highest favor, that he might come and render him relief. Soon the poorest man on earth, if he is a friend of God, will have mercies which the rich, if unprepared to die, can never obtain. The rich will no longer despise such people; they would “then” be glad of their friendship, and would beg for the slightest favor at their hands.

Dip the tip ... - This was a small favor to ask, and it shows the greatness of his distress when so small a thing would be considered a great relief.

Cool my tongue - The effect of great “heat” on the body is to produce almost insupportable thirst. Those who travel in burning deserts thus suffer inexpressibly when they are deprived of water. So “pain” of any kind produces thirst, and particularly if connected with fever. The sufferings of the rich man are, therefore, represented as producing burning “thirst,” so much that even a drop of water would be refreshing to his tongue. We can scarce form an idea of more distress and misery than where this is continued from one day to another without relief. We are not to suppose that he had been guilty of any particular wickedness with his “tongue” as the cause of this. It is simply an idea to represent the natural effect of great suffering, and especially suffering in the midst of great heat.

I am tormented - I am in anguish - in insupportable distress.

In this flame - The lost are often represented as suffering “in flames,” because “fire” is an image of the severest pain that we know. It is not certain, however, that the wicked will be doomed to suffer in “material” fire. See the notes at Mark 9:44.


 
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