Abraham highlights that the rich man received his "good things" in his lifetime, implying those earthly pleasures were his full payment. This emphasizes that his sin wasn't necessarily the wealth itself, but the ultimate focus and poor stewardship of it, leading to Lazarus's neglect.
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abraham explains that the rich man's current torment stems from his earthly life where he enjoyed all his comforts while ignoring Lazarus, who suffered greatly. This stark contrast highlights how their earthly experiences were fully realized in life, leaving no room for further good things for the rich man and no continued suffering for Lazarus, setting the stage for their eternal fates.
What if your entire life was just an account being settled? In this profound moment, Abraham reveals a stark truth about how our earthly 'good things' and 'bad things' play out in eternity.
Abraham's words to the rich man aren't just a description of the afterlife; they're a call to remember the sum total of one's earthly experience.
Life as a Received Portion
The key word here is 'received' (Greek: apelabes). It implies a settling of accounts, a final distribution. You received your good things in your lifetime – meaning, that was your allocated portion. It wasn't just random luck; it was what life had dealt you, and crucially, what you had accepted as your complete reward.
The Contrast: Good and Evil
Abraham highlights the stark contrast: the rich man got his 'good things' (comfort, luxury, pleasure), while Lazarus received his 'bad things' (poverty, suffering, sickness).
This isn't to say suffering is inherently good or wealth is inherently evil. Instead, it points to how these earthly portions were used and viewed.
A Reversal of Fortune
The 'but now' signifies a radical reversal. The earthly ledger is closed. The rich man's comforts are gone forever, and Lazarus's sufferings have now been fully balanced by comfort. What you 'received' on earth is all you get from that specific earthly bank.
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Imagine an eternity where your regrets and missed opportunities play on repeat. This verse reveals that memory isn't erased; it becomes a part of our eternal reality.
Abraham's instruction to 'remember' is not a casual suggestion; it's the core of the rich man's torment.
Memory's Enduring Power
The dead, as this parable suggests, retain their memories. This is a crucial, often unsettling, aspect of the afterlife. The rich man isn't just experiencing pain; he's experiencing pain with full awareness of what he had and what he lost.
The Torment of Awareness
For the rich man, remembering means reliving:
This memory isn't a passive recollection; it's an active torment, intensifying his anguish because he now understands the full value of what he missed and the eternal consequences of his choices.
A Call to Present Mindfulness
Understanding that memory plays such a significant role in the next life should profoundly impact how we live now. Our present actions and attitudes are forming the landscape of our eternal remembrance.
Understand the original words
parakaleō · Greek Verb/Participle
A state of being strengthened, encouraged, or relieved from distress; in a spiritual sense, it refers to the peace and restoration provided by God's presence in the afterlife.
chasma mega · Greek Noun
A wide, unbridgeable gap or void. In biblical theology, it signifies the permanent, ontological separation between the realms of the blessed and the condemned after death.
The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16, was told during a time when the stark contrast between the wealthy elite and the impoverished masses was a harsh reality under Roman rule. Many Jews, especially those who held onto traditional religious practices, felt overlooked or even scorned by a wealthy class that often aligned with Roman occupiers. The parable speaks powerfully to their experience, highlighting that earthly status is not the ultimate measure of divine favor, and that true riches lie in a right relationship with God, even amidst suffering.
c. 140 BC
Hasmonean Dynasty Established
Following the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid rule, the Hasmonean dynasty established a Jewish kingdom, bringing a period of relative independence. This era was marked by internal religious and political tensions, particularly between different Jewish factions.
63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
The Roman general Pompey conquered Judea, ending the Hasmonean kingdom and establishing Roman dominion. This marked the beginning of Roman rule, which would significantly impact Jewish life and religion for centuries.
c. 20 BC - 30 AD
Jesus' Life and Ministry
Jesus’ public ministry, including teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, took place during this period under Roman occupation. His teachings often challenged the religious and social norms of the time.
c. 30-33 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. This event is central to Christian faith and belief.
c. 40-60 AD
Apostolic Era and Letter Writing
The apostles, including Paul, traveled and preached the gospel, establishing early Christian communities. During this time, many letters were written to these communities, forming a significant part of the New Testament.
c. 60-62 AD— this verse
Luke's Gospel Written
The Gospel of Luke, a carefully researched account of Jesus' life and teachings, was likely written during this period. It aimed to provide a coherent narrative for a Christian audience, possibly in Rome or Greece.
70 AD
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple, a devastating event for Jewish people. This marked a major turning point in Jewish history and religious practice.
This passage speaks about receiving 'your reward in full' for religious acts done for show, which echoes Abraham's point that the rich man 'received his good things' in his lifetime as his complete portion.
Luke 6:24-25Jesus directly contrasts the 'woe' for those who are rich and satisfied now with the blessing for the poor and hungry, directly mirroring the fate of the rich man and Lazarus in the parable.
James 5:1-6This passage strongly condemns the rich who have hoarded wealth and lived in luxury while oppressing the poor, highlighting the rich man's misuse of his earthly 'good things' and neglect of those in need like Lazarus.
Philippians 4:12Paul's ability to be content in any circumstance, whether full or hungry, contrasts with the rich man who only experienced his 'good things' and now faces torment, showing a different way to relate to earthly possessions.
pulpitLuke 16:25: "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."
Verse 25. - 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 here simply bids the tortured man to call to his memory the circumstances of the life he had lived on earth, telling him that i…
meyerLuke 16:25: "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."
Luke 16:25 . Τέκνον ] an address of sympathizing patriarchal love. The emphasis of the refusal lies on ἀπέλαβες , which is hence placed first: that thou hast received thy good things; there is nothing more in arrear for thee as thy due acquittance (see on Luke 18:30 ), hence to thy lot cannot fall the refreshing cr…
Abraham highlights that the rich man received his "good things" in his lifetime, implying those earthly pleasures were his full payment. This emphasizes that his sin wasn't necessarily the wealth itself, but the ultimate focus and poor stewardship of it, leading to Lazarus's neglect.
Abraham explains that the rich man's current torment stems from his earthly life where he enjoyed all his comforts while ignoring Lazarus, who suffered greatly. This stark contrast highlights how their earthly experiences were fully realized in life, leaving no room for further good things for the rich man and no continued suffering for Lazarus, setting the stage for their eternal fates.
Abraham explains that the rich man's current torment stems from his earthly life where he enjoyed all his comforts while ignoring Lazarus, who suffered greatly. This stark contrast highlights how their earthly experiences were fully realized in life, leaving no room for further good things for the rich man and no continued suffering for Lazarus, setting the stage for their eternal fates.
"But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has…" — Abraham highlights that the rich man received his "good things" in his lifetime, implying those earthly pleasures were his full payment. This emphasizes that his sin wasn't necessarily the wealth i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
