Luke 6:24
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Luke 6:24
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus isn't just denouncing wealth; he's revealing a profound truth about where people find their deepest comfort. The word translated "consolation" means having "nothing left to desire," implying that those who are rich in worldly goods have already received all the satisfaction they believe they need, leaving no room for God's true comfort. This means their earthly security has become their ultimate source of peace, which is tragically insufficient for eternity.
Just after choosing his twelve apostles, Jesus is speaking to a large crowd on a plain, presenting a series of "woes" that directly contrast the "blessings" he just proclaimed. These woes are not simply curses but rather compassionate laments over those whose present comforts and earthly satisfaction prevent them from seeking true spiritual riches. The saying here highlights that those who have found their complete fulfillment and consolation in worldly wealth will find themselves spiritually bankrupt.
Jesus pronounces 'woe' on the rich. Is this just anger, or something deeper?
When Jesus says 'Woe to you who are rich,' it's easy to hear it as pure condemnation. But many scholars point out that 'woe' here can also carry a tone of deep compassion, like a lament for a tragic state. Think of it as a doctor sadly observing a patient with a serious illness.
Jesus isn't necessarily saying wealth itself is evil, but he's highlighting how dangerous it can be. The rich often find their comfort and security in their possessions, making it incredibly difficult for them to rely on God or seek true spiritual riches. This 'woe' is a warning about the perilous path wealth can create, a path that can lead away from God.
Jesus says the rich 'have received their consolation.' What does that mean for their future?
The word translated 'consolation' here (paraklesis) and the verb 'received' (apechō) carry a powerful sense of finality. It's not just that they're getting comfort now; it means they have received the comfort, all the good things, all the reward they are going to get.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 6:24 is available in the Sola app.
Imagine getting a check that fully cashes out everything you're owed, with nothing left. That's the picture here. Their 'consolation' is earthly, temporary, and complete. They've received their portion in this life, which tragically means they have no spiritual 'consolation' or reward waiting for them in the next. Their earthly satisfaction has become their ultimate, and therefore eternal, loss.
Understand the original words
ouai · Greek Interjection
A declaration of intense grief, distress, or impending judgment. It is the prophetic opposite of a 'blessing,' signaling the misery that follows spiritual self-sufficiency or disobedience.
plousioi · Greek Adjective
Possessing material wealth or earthly abundance; biblically, it often carries a warning regarding the temptation to trust in riches rather than God, potentially hindering one's entrance into the kingdom.
paraklēsin · Greek Noun
Comfort, relief, or encouragement. In a theological sense, it refers to the sense of satisfaction or peace one receives; those who rely on earthly comforts have already 'received' their final portion.
This teaching was delivered during Jesus' ministry, likely in Galilee, to a broad audience including disciples and crowds. The 'woes' to the rich were a stark counterpoint to the blessings pronounced on the poor, highlighting the spiritual dangers of wealth and self-satisfaction in contrast to reliance on God.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins His public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples throughout Galilee and surrounding regions.
c. AD 28
Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles
Following a night of prayer, Jesus selects His core group of twelve apostles from His larger following, preparing them for their future mission.
c. AD 28— this verse
Sermon on the Plain
Jesus delivers a major discourse to His disciples and a large crowd, including the Beatitudes and the corresponding 'woes' directed at the rich, those who are full, those who laugh, and those hated by others.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem and rises from the dead, marking the pivotal event of Christian faith.
c. AD 40s-60s
Early Church Expansion
The apostles and early Christians, empowered by the Holy Spirit, spread the gospel message throughout the Roman Empire, facing persecution.
This parable directly parallels the woe to the rich by describing a rich man who lived in luxury and received his 'good things' in this life, only to find torment and lack in the next, mirroring Luke 6:24's theme of present consolation leading to future suffering.
Amos 6:1-7The prophet Amos pronounces a strong 'woe' against the complacent and self-indulgent rich who feel secure in their wealth, paralleling Jesus' condemnation of those who find their comfort solely in earthly riches and ignore their spiritual poverty.
James 5:1-6The book of James echoes Jesus' strong rebuke of the wealthy, warning them that their riches have corroded and that they have lived for pleasure, essentially receiving their 'consolation' now, while judgment awaits them.
Matthew 6:24This verse highlights the impossibility of serving both God and money, directly supporting the idea in Luke 6:24 that prioritizing earthly riches means forfeiting divine 'consolation' and true security.
clarkeLuke 6:24: "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation."
But wo unto you that are rich! - The Pharisees, who were laden with the spoils of the people which they received in gifts, etc. These three verses are not found in the sermon, as recorded by Matthew. They seem to be spoken chiefly to the scribes and Pharisees, who, in order to be pleasing to all, spoke to every one what he liked best; and by finesse, flattery, and lies, found out the method of gaining and keepin…
jfbLuke 6:12-49: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Lu 6:12-49. The Twelve Apostles Chosen—Gathering Multitudes—Glorious Healing.12, 13. went out—probably from Capernaum.all night in prayer … and when … day, he called, &c.—The work with which the next day began shows what had been the burden of this night's devotions. As He directed His disciples to pray for "laborers" just before sending themselves forth (see on…
Jesus isn't just denouncing wealth; he's revealing a profound truth about where people find their deepest comfort. The word translated "consolation" means having "nothing left to desire," implying that those who are rich in worldly goods have already received all the satisfaction they believe they need, leaving no room for God's true comfort. This means their earthly security has become their ultimate source of peace, which is tragically insufficient for eternity.
Just after choosing his twelve apostles, Jesus is speaking to a large crowd on a plain, presenting a series of "woes" that directly contrast the "blessings" he just proclaimed. These woes are not simply curses but rather compassionate laments over those whose present comforts and earthly satisfaction prevent them from seeking true spiritual riches. The saying here highlights that those who have found their complete fulfillment and consolation in worldly wealth will find themselves spiritually bankrupt.
Just after choosing his twelve apostles, Jesus is speaking to a large crowd on a plain, presenting a series of "woes" that directly contrast the "blessings" he just proclaimed. These woes are not simply curses but rather compassionate laments over those whose present comforts and earthly satisfaction prevent them from seeking true spiritual riches. The saying here highlights that those who have found their complete fulfillment and consolation in worldly wealth will find themselves spiritually bankrupt.
"“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." — Jesus isn't just denouncing wealth; he's revealing a profound truth about where people find their deepest comfort. The word translated "consolation" means having "nothing left to desire," implying th…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.