Luke 16:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Lazarus longs for the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table, and only the dogs tend him, licking his sores.
What Does Luke 16:21 Mean?
The contrast reaches its most painful point. Lazarus hopes for nothing but scraps — food that would cost the rich man no sacrifice whatever — and the story implies even that never comes. His only attendants are the street dogs, unclean scavengers, nosing at his wounds.
The dogs are the story's quiet accusation: animals show the dying man more attention than the man feasting a few yards away. The rich man will never be charged with cruelty — only with a gate kept shut and crumbs withheld. Jesus teaches elsewhere exactly how such omissions are weighed: 'Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me' (Matthew 25:45).
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 16:21
What does Luke 16:21 mean?
Lazarus longs for the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table, and only the dogs tend him, licking his sores.