Luke 16:27 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:27 mean?

Luke 16:27 shows the rich man, now in torment, begging Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house to warn his family. The verse highlights the rich man’s concern for his living relatives and his desperate hope that they might avoid his fate.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a story where a rich man, after death, speaks with Abraham. The rich man realizes too late the seriousness of his choices and pleads for someone to go back to the living to warn his five brothers. This request sets up the next part of the story, where Abraham responds about the sufficiency of existing warnings.

The Greek behind Luke 16:27

• The word "pray" (ἐρωτῶ, erōtō) is often understood as a strong request or plea, not just a polite asking. Here, it shows the rich man's desperation and urgency.
• The word "send" (πέμψῃς, pempsēs) means to dispatch or send someone on a mission. The rich man is asking for Lazarus to be sent with a specific purpose: to warn his family.
• The phrase "my father's house" (τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου, ton oikon tou patros mou) points to the rich man’s personal connection and responsibility toward his family, emphasizing his regret and concern for those still alive.

Why Luke 16:27 matters

• Luke 16:27 clarifies that the rich man’s concern shifts from himself to his family, showing a change in his perspective after death.
• The verse sets up the main teaching point of the story: whether a miraculous warning would truly change people’s hearts, or if the existing message is already enough.
• This request from the rich man highlights the seriousness with which Jesus treats the idea of warning and repentance, preparing the reader for Abraham’s important reply in the following verses.