Luke 16:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Both men die: angels carry the beggar to Abraham's bosom, and the rich man is buried.
What Does Luke 16:22 Mean?
Death, the one appointment wealth cannot reschedule, comes for both men. Lazarus — who likely had no funeral at all — receives an escort of angels to Abraham's bosom, the place of honor against the patriarch's breast, as a beloved guest reclines beside the host at a feast (John 13:23).
The rich man's whole obituary is a clause: he died, and was buried. The banquets end in six words. Now every position is reversed — the man who lay outside the gate is gathered in and comforted; the man who feasted is in the ground. The verse carries a double message: to every overlooked sufferer, that God's attention does not end at death; to every comfortable soul, that neither does His justice.
Luke 16:22 in the Original Language
kolpos (κόλπος), 'bosom' -- the place against one's breast, the position of nearest honor beside the host at a feast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 16:22
What does Luke 16:22 mean?
Both men die: angels carry the beggar to Abraham's bosom, and the rich man is buried.