What does Luke 16:27 mean?

Explanation

Luke 16:27 contains part of a dialogue from a parable commonly known as "The Rich Man and Lazarus," which is found only in the Gospel of Luke. In the story, a rich man who has lived a life of luxury finds himself in torment after death in Hades.

In contrast, Lazarus, a poor man who had suffered at the rich man's gate covered with sores, is comforted in the bosom of Abraham after he dies.

In the verse in question, the rich man (traditionally named Dives, although this name is not in the text) has already asked Abraham to send Lazarus to ease his torment with a drop of water (Luke 16:24).

Abraham has denied this request, explaining the fixed chasm between them.

Following this, the rich man makes a new plea: he asks Abraham to send Lazarus back to the world of the living, to the rich man's father's house, to warn his five brothers so they might avoid his own fate of eternal punishment after death.

The verse is rich in implications: it suggests a concern for the rich man's family, an acknowledgment of his brothers’ potential future of judgment, and also the notion of opportunities for repentance in life.

Historical Context

The Gospel of Luke is believed to have been written around AD 80-110 and is attributed to Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul.

The parable is situated within Jesus' road to Jerusalem, where He is teaching His disciples and others who are traveling with Him.

Parables were a common method used by Jesus to convey spiritual truths through relatable stories.

The culture at that time included a widespread belief in an afterlife and divine justice, making the parable a significant tale that would speak directly to the listeners' core beliefs and questions about the afterlife and the fate of the soul.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse highlights several themes:

Intercessory prayer - the rich man's request shows a belief in the ability to intercede on behalf of the living. 2.

Repentance - the verse implies that the rich man's brothers still have a chance to change their ways, highlighting the importance of repentance before death. 3.

Finality of death – once someone has died, their eternal destiny is set, and there are no second chances after death. 4.

Concern for others - a desire that others not experience the same fate, emphasizing an ethical concern for the well-being of others.

Different theological viewpoints approach these themes in varying ways, with some emphasizing the finality and justice of God's judgment and others focusing on the idea that concern for others should extend beyond this life.

Practical Applications

This verse's teachings can be applied in daily life in several ways:

Encouraging proactive care for others, particularly in spiritual matters. 2.

Highlighting the importance of repentance and living a righteous life in anticipation of the afterlife. 3.

Stressing the significance of sharing one's faith and warning others about the consequences of a life lived without consideration for the afterlife. 4.

Motivating individuals to reflect on the impact of their lives on others, including family and friends.

Cross-References

• Luke 16:19-31: The entirety of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus provides context to Luke 16:27.
• Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
• Matthew 25:46: "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."
• Ecclesiastes 9:5: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."

Language Study

• "Send" (πέμψῃς - pemsēs): This is an aorist active subjunctive form of the verb "to send," indicating the rich man's plea is for an immediate and specific action.
• "Father" (πατέρα - patera): Referring to Abraham, the patriarch, which is consistent with Jewish tradition that saw Abraham as the father of the faith.
• "My father's house" (τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου - ton oikon tou patros mou): The term house implies family or lineage, reflecting the importance of family ties and responsibilities.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The parable has parallels with Egyptian and Mesopotamian stories where individuals in the afterlife plead for mercy or warning to the living regarding their fates.

Ancient cultures often believed moral actions impacted one's afterlife.

In the context of Second Temple Judaism, this parable affirms the traditional Jewish belief in an afterlife, divine justice, and emphasizes moral living in obedience to God's law.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern science does not provide empirical evidence for an afterlife or metaphysical realities such as heaven or hell.

However, the ethical considerations in the verse are of interest to various fields, including psychology, which studies the impact that beliefs about the afterlife have on moral behavior and societal functioning.

commentaries

Commentaries offer various interpretations of this verse:

Some view it as revealing human nature's propensity for concern for loved ones even after it is too late to change one's own fate. 2.

Others see it as an illustration of the irreversible outcomes of life choices and the reality of eternal consequences. 3.

Additional scholars comment on the rich man's realization of the impact of his earthly lifestyle on his eternal state, leading to his concern for his brothers’ spiritual condition.

There is a consensus among many commentators that this parable serves as a warning to the living to heed the call of repentance seriously and to love and serve others selflessly.