the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
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King James Version
Luke 16:19
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Jesus then said, "There was a rich guy who dressed in expensive clothes and lived in absolute luxury.
"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.
"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.
Now there was a certain man of great wealth, who was dressed in fair clothing of purple and delicate linen, and was shining and glad every day.
Now there was a rich man and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, making good cheer in splendour every day.
"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.
"There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.
"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted splendidly every day.
"There was once a rich man who habitually arrayed himself in purple and fine linen, and enjoyed a splendid banquet every day,
There was a certaine rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linnen, and fared sumptuously euery day.
And there was a certain rich man; and he was accustomed to don a purple robe and fine linen, making merry in luxury day by day.
There was a certayne riche man, which clothed him self with purple and costly lynnen, and fared deliciously euery daye.
There was a rich man, who used to dress in purple and fine linnen, and pass his days in pomp and luxury.
"There once was a rich man, expensively dressed in the latest fashions, wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep. All he lived for was to get a meal from scraps off the rich man's table. His best friends were the dogs who came and licked his sores.
"Now there was a certain rich man who was habitually dressed in expensive purple and fine linen, and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day.
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
Ther was a certayne ryche man which was clothed in purple and fyne bysse and fared deliciously every daye.
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Jesus said, "There was a rich man who always dressed in the finest clothes and lived in luxury every day.
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food.
"Once there was a rich man who used to dress in the most expensive clothing and spent his days in magnificent luxury.
There was a certaine riche man, which was clothed in purple and fine linnen, and fared well and delicately euery day.
There was a rich man, who used to wear purple and fine linen, and every day he made merry very lavishly.
"Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
"Once there was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and live in great luxury every day.
NOW there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in byssos [fn] and purple, and every day feasted gaily. [fn]
And there was a certain rich man, who was clothed in fine linen and scarlet, and passed every day in splendid luxury.
Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple linen clothes everyday. He lived like a king would live with the best of food.
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
Now, a certain man, was rich, and he used to clothe himself with purple and fine linen, making merry day by day, brilliantly.
There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day.
"Now a certain man was rich, and dressed in purple cloth and fine linen, feasting sumptuously every day.
Ther was a certaine riche man, whiche was clothed in purple & fine whyte, and fared very deliciously euery day.
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.
"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, enjoying himself in splendor every day.
"There was once a rich man who dressed in the most expensive clothes and lived in great luxury every day.
There was a riche man, and was clothid in purpur, and whit silk, and eete euery dai schynyngli.
`And -- a certain man was rich, and was clothed in purple and fine linen, making merry sumptuously every day,
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
rich: Luke 12:16-21, Luke 18:24, Luke 18:25, James 5:1-5
clothed: Luke 16:1, Luke 15:13, Job 21:11-15, Psalms 73:3-7, Ezekiel 16:49, Amos 6:4-6, Revelation 17:4, Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:16
purple: Judges 8:26, Esther 8:15, Ezekiel 16:13, Ezekiel 27:7, Mark 15:17, Mark 15:20
Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:29 - they would 1 Samuel 25:2 - man 2 Samuel 12:1 - There were Job 12:5 - of him Job 15:29 - neither shall Job 21:10 - their cow Job 31:25 - rejoiced Psalms 4:6 - many Psalms 73:12 - these Psalms 78:30 - But Psalms 92:7 - it is that Proverbs 1:32 - and the Proverbs 14:24 - foolishness Proverbs 19:10 - Delight Proverbs 19:20 - be Proverbs 21:20 - but Proverbs 22:2 - rich Proverbs 23:20 - not Proverbs 28:6 - General Proverbs 31:24 - General Ecclesiastes 2:1 - I will Ecclesiastes 5:13 - riches Isaiah 3:23 - fine linen Isaiah 5:12 - the harp Lamentations 4:5 - brought Joel 1:5 - for Matthew 19:23 - That Matthew 25:19 - reckoneth Mark 8:36 - what Luke 1:53 - and Luke 6:24 - for Luke 8:18 - from Luke 12:19 - take Luke 17:27 - General Romans 11:9 - their table Romans 13:13 - rioting Philippians 3:19 - whose God Colossians 3:2 - not 1 Timothy 5:6 - she James 1:11 - so James 5:5 - have lived
Gill's Notes on the Bible
There was a certain rich man,.... In Beza's most ancient copy, and in another manuscript of his it is read by way of preface, "he said also another parable": which shows, that this is not a history of matter of fact, or an historical account of two such persons, as the "rich" man and the beggar, who had lately lived at Jerusalem; though the Papists pretend, to this day, to point out the very spot of ground in Jerusalem, where this rich man's house stood: nor is it to be understood parabolically of any particular rich man, or prince; as Saul the first king of Israel; or Herod, who now was reigning, and was clothed in purple, and lived in a sumptuous manner: nor of rich men in general, though it greatly describes the characters of such, at least of many of them; who only take care of their bodies, and neglect their souls; adorn and pamper them, live in pleasure, and grow wanton, and have no regard to the poor saints; and when they die go to hell; for their riches will not profit them in a day of wrath, nor deliver from it, or be regarded by the Judge, any more than hills and mountains will hide them from his face: but by the rich man are meant, the Jews in general; for that this man is represented, and to be considered as a Jew, is evident from Abraham being his father, and his calling him so, and Abraham again calling him his son, Luke 16:24 of which relation the Jews much boasted and gloried in; and from his brethren having Moses and the prophets, Luke 16:29 which were peculiar to the Jewish people; and from that invincible and incurable infidelity in them, that they would not believe, though one rose from the dead, Luke 16:31 as the Jews would not believe in Christ though he himself rose from the dead, which was the sign he gave them of his being the Messiah: and the general design of the parable, is to expose the wickedness and unbelief of the Jews, and to show their danger and misery, for their contempt and rejection of the Messiah; and particularly the Pharisees are designed, who being covetous, had derided Christ for what he had before said; and, who though high in the esteem of men, were an abomination to God, Luke 16:14. These more especially boasted of Abraham being their father; and of their being the disciples of Moses, and trusted in him, and in his law; and thought they should have eternal life through having and reading the books of Moses and the prophets: these may be called "a man", because this was the name by which the Jews style themselves, in distinction from the Gentiles, whom they compare to beasts; Luke 16:14- : and this they ground on a passage in Ezekiel 34:31 "and ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men": upon which their note is e,
"ye are called, אדם, "men", but the nations of the earth are not called men.''
And they may be called a "certain" man, a famous man, a man of note, as the Jews, and especially the Pharisees, thought themselves to be; and therefore coveted the chief places in the synagogues, and at feasts, and loved salutations and greetings in market places, and to be called of men Rabbi, and master: as also a "rich man"; for the Jews in general were a wealthy people, lived in a very fruitful country, and were greatly indulged with the riches of providential goodness; and particularly the Pharisees, many of whom were of the great sanhedrim, and rulers of synagogues, and elders of the people; and who by various methods, amassed to themselves great riches, and even devoured widows' houses; see Luke 6:24 and they were also rich in outward means and ordinances, having the oracles of God, his word, worship, and service; and as to their spiritual and eternal estate, in their own esteem; though they were not truly rich in grace, not in faith, nor in spiritual knowledge, nor even in good works, of which they so much boasted; but in appearance, and in their own conceit, they were rich in the knowledge of the law, and in righteousness, which they imagined was perfect, and so stood in need of nothing; no, not of repentance, and especially of Christ, or of any thing from him:
which was clothed in purple and fine linen; or "byssus", which is said to f grow on a tree, in height equal to a poplar, and in leaves like a willow, and was brought out of India into Egypt, and much used there, as it also was among the Jews: hence we often read g of בוצא or לבושין דבוץ "garments of byssus", or fine linen: the Jews in general dressed well; their common apparel were fine linen and silk; see Ezekiel 16:10 and so the Arabic version here renders it, "silk and purple"; and the Persic version, "silks and bombycines": and the priests particularly, were arrayed in such a habit; the robe of the ephod, and also its curious girdle, were of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen, and at the hem of it were pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, Exodus 28:6. And as for the Pharisees, they loved to go in long robes, and to make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, which were fringes of blue, joined unto them; and which may figuratively express the fine outside show of holiness and righteousness, they made;
and fared sumptuously every day. The Jews in common lived well, being in a land that flowed with milk and honey; see Ezekiel 16:13 and especially the priests, who offered up lambs every day, besides other offerings, of which they had their part; as also the Pharisees, who were often at feasts, where they loved the chief places: and this may signify the easy and jocund life they lived; knowing no sorrow upon spiritual accounts, having no sense of sin, nor sight of the spirituality of the law, nor view of danger; but at perfect ease, and not emptied from vessel to vessel.
e T. Bab. Bava Metzia, fol. 114. 2. & Kimchi in loc. f Philostrat. Vit. Appollon. l. 2. c. 9. g Targum in Gen. xli. 42. in 2 Chron. v. 12. & in Ezek. xliv. 17.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
There was a certain rich man - Many have supposed that our Lord here refers to a “real history,” and gives an account of some man who had lived in this manner; but of this there is no evidence. The probability is that this narrative is to be considered as a parable, referring not to any particular case which “had” actually happened, but teaching that such cases “might” happen. The “design” of the narrative is to be collected from the previous conversation. He had taught the danger of the love of money Luke 16:1-2; the deceitful and treacherous nature of riches Luke 16:9-11; that what was in high esteem on earth was hateful to God Luke 16:15; that people who did not use their property aright could not be received into heaven Luke 16:11-12; that they ought to listen to Moses and the prophets Luke 16:16-17; and that it was the duty of people to show kindness to the poor. The design of the parable was to impress all these truths more vividly on the mind, and to show the Pharisees that, with all their boasted righteousness and their external correctness of character, they might be lost. Accordingly he speaks of no great fault in the rich man - no external, degrading vice - no open breach of the law; and leaves us to infer that the “mere possession of wealth” may be dangerous to the soul, and that a man surrounded with every temporal blessing may perish forever. It is remarkable that he gave no “name” to this rich man, though the poor man is mentioned by name. If this was a parable, it shows us how unwilling he was to fix suspicion on anyone. If it was not a parable, it shows also that he would not drag out wicked people before the public, but would conceal as much as possible all that had any connection with them. The “good” he would speak well of by name; the evil he would not “injure” by exposing them to public view.
Clothed in purple - A purple robe or garment. This color was expensive as well as splendid, and was chiefly worn by princes, nobles, and those who were very wealthy. Compare Matthew 27:28. See the notes at Isaiah 1:18.
Fine linen - This linen was chiefly produced of the flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, in Egypt, Proverbs 7:16; Ezekiel 27:7. It was especially soft and white, and was, therefore, much sought as an article of luxury, and was so expensive that it could be worn only by princes, by priests, or by those who were very rich, Genesis 41:42; 1 Chronicles 15:27; Exodus 28:5.
Fared sumptuously - Feasted or lived in a splendid manner.
Every day - Not merely occasionally, but constantly. This was a mark of great wealth, and, in the view of the world, evidence of great happiness. It is worthy of remark that Jesus did not charge on him any crime. He did not say that he had acquired this property by dishonesty, or even that he was unkind or uncharitable; but simply that he “was a rich man,” and that his riches did not secure him from death and perdition.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Luke 16:19. There was a certain rich man — In the Scholia of some MSS. the name of this person is said to be Ninive. This account of the rich man and Lazarus is either a parable or a real history. If it be a parable, it is what may be: if it be a history, it is that which has been. Either a man may live as is here described, and go to perdition when he dies; or, some have lived in this way, and are now suffering the torments of an eternal fire. The account is equally instructive in whichsoever of these lights it is viewed. Let us carefully observe all the circumstances offered hereto our notice, and we shall see-I. The CRIME of this man; and II. His PUNISHMENT.
1. There was a certain rich man in Jerusalem. Provided this be a real history, there is no doubt our Lord could have mentioned his name; but, as this might have given great offence, he chose to suppress it. His being rich is, in Christ's account, the first part of his sin. To this circumstance our Lord adds nothing: he does not say that he was born to a large estate; or that he acquired one by improper methods; or that he was haughty or insolent in the possession of it. Yet here is the first degree of his reprobation-he got all he could, and kept all to himself.
2. He was clothed with purple and fine linen. Purple was a very precious and costly stuff; but our Lord does not say that in the use of it he exceeded the bounds of his income, nor of his rank in life; nor is it said that he used his superb dress to be an agent to his crimes, by corrupting the hearts of others. Yet our Lord lays this down as a second cause of his perdition.
3. He fared sumptuously every day. Now let it be observed that the law of Moses, under which this man lived, forbade nothing on this point, but excess in eating and drinking; indeed, it seems as if a person was authorized to taste the sweets of an abundance, which that law promised as a reward of fidelity. Besides, this rich man is not accused of having eaten food which was prohibited by the law, or of having neglected the abstinences and fasts prescribed by it. It is true, he is said to have feasted sumptuously every day; but our Lord does not intimate that this was carried to excess, or that it ministered to debauch. He is not accused of licentious discourse, of gaming, of frequenting any thing like our modern plays, balls, masquerades, or other impure and unholy assemblies; of speaking an irreverent word against Divine revelation, or the ordinances of God. ln a word, his probity is not attacked, nor is he accused of any of those crimes which pervert the soul or injure civil society. As Christ has described this man, does he appear culpable? What are his crimes? Why,
(1) He was rich.
(2) He was finely clothed. And
(3) He feasted well.
No other evil is spoken of him. In comparison of thousands, he was not only blameless, but he was a virtuous man.
4. But it is intimated by many that "he was an uncharitable, hard-hearted, unfeeling wretch." Yet of this there is not a word spoken by Christ. Let us consider all the circumstances, and we shall see that our blessed Lord has not represented this man as a monster of inhumanity, but merely as an indolent man, who sought and had his portion in this life, and was not at all concerned about another.
Therefore we do not find that when Abraham addressed him on the cause of his reprobation, Luke 16:25, that he reproached him with hard-heartedness, saying, "Lazarus was hungry, and thou gavest him no meat; he was thirsty, and thou gavest him no drink, c." but he said simply, Son, remember that thou didst receive thy good things in thy lifetime, Luke 16:25. "Thou hast sought thy consolation upon the earth, thou hast borne no cross, mortified no desire of the flesh, received not the salvation God had provided for thee; thou didst not belong to the people of God upon earth, and thou canst not dwell with them in glory."
There are few who consider that it is a crime for those called Christians to live without Christ, when their lives are not stained with transgression. If Christianity only required men to live without gross outward sin, paganism could furnish us with many bright examples of this sort. But the religion of Christ requires a conformity, not only in a man's conduct, to the principles of the Gospel; but also a conformity in his heart to the spirit and mind of Christ.
