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 16:25KJV
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Luke 16:25 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:25 mean?

Luke 16:25 describes a reversal between a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. Abraham tells the rich man that their circumstances have changed after death: Lazarus now receives comfort, while the rich man suffers.

Abraham answers the rich man’s request for relief in the story Jesus is telling. By calling him “Son,” Abraham addresses him as a member of Abraham’s family, even as he asks him to remember the contrast between his own life and Lazarus’s.

The Greek behind Luke 16:25

  • “receivedst” — ἀπολαμβάνω (apolambanō): The Greek can carry the sense of receiving something in full. Here, Abraham points back to what the rich man had already received during his lifetime.
  • “evil things” — κακός (kakos): The word can describe things that are bad or harmful. In this verse, it refers to the hardships Lazarus experienced, rather than necessarily to his behavior.
  • “comforted” — παρακαλέω (parakaleō): The word can mean to comfort or console someone. Here, it describes Lazarus as receiving comfort after the suffering of his earlier life.

Why Luke 16:25 matters

  • The rich man’s former prosperity is set beside Lazarus’s hardship. Earlier in the story, the rich man lives in luxury while Lazarus lies at his gate, hungry and covered with sores (Luke 16:19–21).
  • Abraham’s answer makes memory part of the encounter. “Remember” directs the rich man back to circumstances he knew during his lifetime.
  • The contrast continues in the next verse. Abraham describes a great gulf that prevents anyone from crossing between the two sides (Luke 16:26).

Where else these words appear

“tormented” Greek G3600 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 2:48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
  • Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
  • Acts 20:38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

“receivedst” Greek G618 · used in 11 verses

  • Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
  • Luke 18:30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.
  • Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

“now” Greek G3592 · used in 12 verses

  • Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
  • James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
  • Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

“Lazarus” Greek G2976 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
  • John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
  • John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.