Luke 16:27 – “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family.’”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, the rich man, now suffering in Hades, realizes that he can no longer receive relief or change his fate. Desperate, he turns his attention to his living family members and begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them. He is fully aware of their spiritual condition and knows they are at risk of ending up in the same place of torment if they don’t change their ways. His plea is a sobering moment—it shows regret for not taking action during his lifetime and a desire to spare his family from suffering the same fate.
The rich man’s request to “send Lazarus” again reflects his attitude of entitlement. He still views Lazarus as someone who should serve him, even after death. This detail highlights the unchanged nature of his heart, even in torment. His concern for his family is genuine, but it also shows how too many people fail to act on the truth while they are alive, only to realize its importance when it’s too late.
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish culture, family ties were very important. A person’s family was often viewed as an extension of their identity and legacy. The rich man’s concern for his family reflects this cultural value. However, his request also reveals something significant about his understanding of faith: he assumes that an extraordinary sign or miracle, like someone returning from the dead, will convince his family to repent.
Jesus’ audience, particularly the Pharisees, believed that they already had everything they needed to follow God through the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Jesus uses this parable to challenge them and anyone else who might think they can delay repentance or that they need an extraordinary event to turn to God.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the importance of repentance during our lifetime. The rich man’s realization that his fate is fixed and his concern for his family reflect the finality of judgment after death. There is no opportunity to repent once someone has died, which emphasizes the urgency of making the right choices while still alive.
Additionally, the rich man’s plea shows that knowledge of spiritual danger isn’t enough—action is required. His family, like him, likely had access to God’s Word through the Law and the Prophets, but they needed to listen and obey it. This underscores the theological truth that salvation comes through faith and obedience, not simply through knowledge or religious background.
Literary Analysis
This verse is part of a dialogue that builds tension and deepens the emotional weight of the parable. The rich man’s shift in focus from his own suffering to his family shows a progression in his understanding, but it comes too late. The repetition of his plea and the mention of “begging” emphasize his desperation and regret.
The use of Lazarus’s name is significant. Unlike the rich man, Lazarus is named and remembered, showing his importance in God’s eyes. The rich man, who had status and wealth in life, is now reduced to pleading. This literary contrast reinforces the message of the parable: God’s values are different from the world’s.
Biblical Cross-References
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 – “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
- Hebrews 9:27 – “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
- James 4:14 – “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
These verses reinforce the urgency of repentance and the importance of responding to God’s call before it’s too late.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christians, this verse serves as a reminder to take seriously the call to repent and follow God. It also highlights the importance of sharing the gospel with others while there is still time. The rich man’s regret is a warning against procrastination in matters of faith. We shouldn’t wait until tomorrow to live for God because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
This verse also challenges Christians to think about their responsibility to others. The rich man’s concern for his family shows that he understood the consequences of not living according to God’s Word. Christians are called to have this same concern for others, but they are in a position to act on it now, sharing the message of salvation with family, friends, and anyone in need of hearing it.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown through the warnings He gives about judgment and the opportunities He provides for repentance. This parable itself is an act of love—it’s a warning meant to guide people toward repentance and salvation before it’s too late. God doesn’t want anyone to experience the fate of the rich man, which is why He is patient, giving people time to turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9).
God’s love is also seen in the fact that He has already provided everything necessary for salvation through His Word and through Jesus Christ. The rich man’s plea for a miraculous warning is unnecessary because God’s love and truth are already available to those who are willing to listen and respond.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate answer to the rich man’s plea. While the rich man asks for Lazarus to be sent to warn his family, Jesus Himself came from heaven to deliver God’s message of salvation. His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate signs that God loves humanity and desires their salvation.
Interestingly, Jesus foreshadows His own resurrection later in the parable. Even though the rich man believes that someone returning from the dead would convince his family, Jesus points out that many people will still reject the truth, even after He rises from the dead. This highlights the need for faith and obedience to God’s Word, not just reliance on miracles.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of repentance and living for God now, rather than waiting?
- Who in my life needs to hear the message of salvation, and how can I share it with them today?
- Am I taking advantage of the opportunities God has given me to grow in faith and obedience?
- How does the rich man’s regret motivate me to prioritize spiritual matters over temporary comforts?
- How does Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection serve as the ultimate sign of God’s love and truth?
This verse is a call to action, urging believers to take their faith seriously and to share the hope of salvation with others while there is still time. By trusting in Jesus and living according to God’s Word, we can avoid the regrets of the rich man and experience the joy of eternal life.