Luke 16:19 Meaning and Explanation
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus opens a story about a man with everything, who somehow has not noticed the need at his own gate.
The Context of Luke 16:19
This is the first line of Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus (verses 19-31). He is teaching with the Pharisees listening, men Luke says were lovers of money (verse 14). The poor man Lazarus, named in the next verse, lies starving at this rich man's gate.
What Does Luke 16:19 Mean?
Jesus sets the scene with a few rich strokes. Here is a man draped in purple, the most costly dye of the ancient world, and fine linen, the softest cloth money could buy. He feasted lavishly, and every day was a feast day for him. The picture is of ease without a care, comfort without a gap. We are not yet told anything wrong he has done; we are simply shown a life turned wholly inward, wrapped in its own abundance.
The quiet tragedy unfolds in the verses that follow, where a beggar named Lazarus lies just outside the gate, unseen. Jesus tells this story as One who Himself became poor, who noticed the overlooked and sat with them. He warns us tenderly here, before the harder turn comes, that a full and pleasant life can leave us blind to the very person God has set in our path.
Luke 16:19 in the Original Language
porphura (πορφύρα), 'purple' -- the rare, costly purple dye, a mark of wealth and royalty.
How to Apply Luke 16:19 Today
It is possible to have much and notice little. This opening line gently asks us who is at our own gate, the person near us whom comfort might let us overlook. The Christ who saw Lazarus invites us to keep our eyes open to the one in need.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 16:19
What does Luke 16:19 mean?
Jesus opens a story about a man with everything, who somehow has not noticed the need at his own gate.
What is the context of Luke 16:19?
This is the first line of Jesus' story of the rich man and Lazarus (verses 19-31). He is teaching with the Pharisees listening, men Luke says were lovers of money (verse 14). The poor man Lazarus, named in the next verse, lies starving at this rich man's gate.
How can I apply Luke 16:19 today?
It is possible to have much and notice little. This opening line gently asks us who is at our own gate, the person near us whom comfort might let us overlook. The Christ who saw Lazarus invites us to keep our eyes open to the one in need.