Luke 16:25

Luke 16:25, in plain English

Abraham responds gently but firmly: 'Child, remember — in your lifetime you had everything good, and Lazarus had everything bad. Now he's comforted and you're in agony.'

Why it's here

Abraham doesn't call him a monster. He calls him 'child.' But the truth is clear: choices have consequences that extend beyond this life.

Who's speaking

Abraham speaks with a mix of compassion and finality that makes the reversal even more poignant.

Where it sits in the story

The reversal is complete and permanent. What you did with your abundance in life determined what eternity looks like.

The scholarly reading

Abraham addresses him as 'child' (teknon) — acknowledging the biological connection while denying its saving power. The principle of eschatological reversal is stated explicitly: earthly comfort corresponded to afterlife torment, and vice versa.

Language and setting

Abraham's response aligns with the Lukan reversal theme (1:52-53, 6:20-26): the rich are sent away empty while the hungry are filled. This is not karmic justice but revelation of where true treasure lay.

Voice

Abraham speaks with gentle firmness, acknowledging the relationship while explaining the irreversible reversal.

Significance

Abraham replies with tenderness and truth: 'Child, remember — you had your good things in life, and Lazarus had suffering. Now the positions are reversed.'

23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.

24So 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.’

25But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

26And besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that even those who wish cannot cross from here to you, nor can anyone cross from there to us.’

27‘Then I beg you, father,’ he said, ‘send Lazarus to my father’s house,

Read all of Luke 16 — A shrewd manager, a rich man in torment, and Lazarus at his gate. Jesus draws a straight line between how you handle money and where you end up.