The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Luke 16:25 But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
But Abraham said , "Child, be reminded that you received those beneficial things of yours in that life of yours and just as Lazarus the bad. Now, however, he is invited here. You yourself, however, torment yourself.
The word translated as "is comforted" primarily means "is invited" or "is summoned". It works with the word "here", referring to the "bosom of Abraham", which is left out of the KJV. While it can mean "comfort" or "console" it literally means "call out" from its root("call)" and prefix ("out"). Almost all English bibles copy the KJV's translation of this words as "comforted".
This "torment" is the same verb as the previous verse. The form of the verb is interesting because it can be the passive voice, "is tormented" as translated in the KJV or the middle voice, "torment myself" as I translate it.
We must choose between the temporary good and the perpetual good.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy (MW) lifetime(CW) receivedst thy (MW) good things, and likewise Lazarus (MW) evil things: but now he is comforted, and(WW) thou (MW) art tormented.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lifetime" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "lifetime”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "these/those/the" before "evil" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourself" after "you" for emphasis.
But Abraham replied(CW), ‘Son, remember that in your (MW) lifetime(CW) you received your (MW) good things, (MP) while(IW) Lazarus received (MW) bad things, but now he is comforted here and(WW) you (MW) are in agony.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "said" doesn't precisely mean "replied”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lifetime" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "lifetime”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "good" is not shown in the English translation.
- MP - Missing Phrase - The phrase "just as" exists in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "while" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "bad" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but”.
- MW -- Missing Word -- This subject pronoun duplicates information in the verb so it needs a "yourself" after "you" for emphasis.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "yet”, "however”, and "on the other hand”. It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
Abraham -- This is from the Greek spelling of "Abraham”.
said, - The word translated as "said" means "to say" and "to speak”. It is one of the two most common words translated "speak”, "say" and "tell”, but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming.
Son, -- The word translated as "son" means "child" but in the most general sense of "offspring". Jesus uses it to refer to older children of a working age. See this article more about these words for "child”.
remember - The Greek verb translated as "rememberest" is in the passive: "you might or should be reminded”.
that -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what", "because”, "since”, "seeing that”, "that”, and "wherefore”. Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for”.
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in”, "on”, "within”, "among", "by" (near), "by" (as an instrument), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time", "in the time”, "within”, and "in”. With the direct object form, it means "into”, "on" and "for”.
thy -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these’ and "those"). See this article for more.
lifetime -- (CW)The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance”, "existence” and "property”. Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article. This is not the word usually translated as "lifetime”.
receivedst -- "Received" is a Greek verb that means "take or receive from", "receive what is one's due", "take of", "take a part of a thing", "regain", "recover", "take apart or aside" (of persons), "cut off", and "intercept”.
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the”. which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
good - The adjective translated as "good" means "useful", "worthwhile” and "of high quality”. As a noun, the word "valuable" or "valuables" in the plural makes the idea clearer than "good" and "goods”. See this article on "good" and this one on "evil." This is not the word most often and less ambiguously translated as "good”.
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”.
likewise -- The word translated as "like" is an adjective that means "like", "resembling" and "matching”.
Lazarus - "Lazarus" is the Greek form of the name "Lazarus".
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
evil -- The word translated as "evil" is an adjective which means many different forms of "bad”, including "ugly”, "low born”, "craven”, and "ill”. As an adverb, its sense is "ill", "wickedly”, "poorly” and "wrongly”. In the NT, it is often translated as "evil" but it doesn't have the sense of moral evil. More about it in this article.
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but”, "yet”, "however” and "on the other hand”. It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
now -- The Greek word translated as "henceforth" means "now”, "at the present moment”, "presently” and "as it is”. With the article, its sense is "the present" or "this now”.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
comforted, -- (WW) The Greek word that translated as "comforted", literally means will be "to be called near”. So it primarily means "to be summoned" since it is in the passive. It also means "to demand”, ("called from") "to encourage”, ("called along") and "to excite" (called beyond"). We will see this word again when it is translated as "to call”. "to beseech” and "to pray", (Matthew 18:32, Matthew 18:29, and Matthew 26:53). In all of them, "call upon" works best in English both in the sense of "summoned" and "to ask”. In Luke 15:28, it is translated as "intreated" (entreated). This word doesn't mean "comforted”.
and -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" means "but”, "yet”, "however” and "on the other hand”. It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "and”.
thou - This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
missing "yourself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself."
art -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
tormented. -- "Tormented" is a Greek verb that means to " cause one pain or suffering". The form indicates that the man is causing pain for himself. This word is uncommon, only used here and in the previous verse.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but”, "yet", "however” and "on the other hand”. It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
Abraham -- This is from the Greek spelling of "Abraham”.
replied, - (CW) The word translated as "replied" means "to say" and "to speak". It is one of the two most common words translated "speak", "say" and "tell”, but it has more a sense of addressing and proclaiming. This word doesn't precisely mean "replied”.
Son, -- The word translated as "son" means "child" but in the most general sense of "offspring”. Jesus uses it to refer to older children of a working age. See this article more about these words for "child”
remember - The Greek verb translated as "rememberest" is in the passive: "you might or should be reminded”.
that -- The word translated as "for" introduces a statement of fact or cause, "for what”, "because”, "since”, "seeing that”, "that” and "wherefore”. Jesus usually uses this word to mean "because" in statements that seem like an answer to a question because of the change of context. It means "because" when answering a "why" question and "that" when explaining a "what" question. Another common word is used for "for”.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in”, "on”, "within”, "among", "by" (near), "by" (as an instrument), "during" (time), or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time”, "in the time”, "within” and "in”. With the direct object form, it means "into”, "on” and "for”.
your -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article,"the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
received -- "Received" is a Greek verb that means "take or receive from", "receive what is one's due", "take of", "take a part of a thing", "regain", "recover", "take apart or aside" (of persons), "cut off", and "intercept”.
your -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours”.
good - The adjective translated as "good" means "useful”, "worthwhile” and "of high quality”. As a noun, the word "valuable" or "valuables" in the plural makes the idea clearer than "good" and "goods”. See this article on "good" and this one on "evil." This is not the word most often and less ambiguously translated as "good”.
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
missing "just as" -- -- (MP) The words here aren't translated with their correct meanings and forms. The Greek word translated as "just" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even", "also” and "just”. The word translated as "as" is an adjective that means "like", "resembling” and "matching”
while -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
Lazarus - "Lazarus" is the Greek form of the name “Eleazar”.
missing "these/those/the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
bad -- The word translated as "bad " is an adjective which means many different forms of "bad," including "ugly”, "low born”, "craven”, and "ill”, As an adverb, its sense is "ill”, "wickedly”, "poorly”, and "wrongly”. In the NT, it is often translated as "evil". More about it in this article.
things - There is no word, "things," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter, plural form of the previous adjective.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but", "yet”, "however” and "on the other hand". It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
now -- The Greek word translated as "henceforth" means "now”, "at the present moment”, "presently” and "as it is”. With the article, its sense is "the present" or "this now”.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
comforted, -- (WW) The Greek word that translated as "comforted”, literally means will be "to be called near." So it primarily means "to be summoned" since it is in the passive. It also means "to demand”, ("called from") "to encourage" ("called along") and "to excite" (“called beyond"). We will see this word again when it is translated as "to call”, "to beseech”, and "to pray", (Matthew 18:32, Matthew 18:29, and Matthew 26:53). In all of them, "call upon" works best in English both in the sense of "summoned" and "to ask”. In Luke 15:28, it is translated as "intreated" (entreated). This word doesn't mean "comforted”.
here -- The word translated as "here" means in manner, "in this way”, referring to the manner, or "here”, referring to place.
and -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" means "but”, "yet”, "however” and "on the other hand”. It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "and”.
thou - This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
missing "yourself" -- (MW) The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "you yourself”.
are -- This helping verb "are" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
in agony.. -- "In agony" is a Greek verb that means to "cause one pain or suffering". The form indicates that the man is causing pain for himself. This word is uncommon, only used here and in the previous verse.
εἶπεν [162 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "I have called"is eipon, which means "to speak", "to say", "to recite", "to address", "to mention", "to name", "to proclaim", "to plead," "to promise" and "to offer". This is the second most common word Jesus uses for this idea. The other word is used more for discussion. Perhaps translating it consistently as "tell" would work.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but", "yet", "however" and "on the other hand". It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then". In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand". In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet". After an interruption, "so then". It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet". After an interruption, "so then".
Ἀβραὰμ [18 verses](Hebrew name) "Abraham" is Abraam, which is the Greek form of "Abraham".
Τέκνον, (noun sg neut voc) "Child" [25 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Son" is teknon (techion), which means "that which is born", "child" and "the young".
μνήσθητι [2 verses](verb 2nd sg aor imperat pass) "Remember" is mnaomai, which means "to remind", "to put in mind", "to recall to memory", "to remember" and "to give heed to"and "wherefore." This is the same word can be translated as both "because" and "that" in the same verse when answering two different types of questions.
ἀπέλαβες [3 verses] (verb 2nd sg aor ind act) "Receivedst" is from apolambano, which means "take or receive from", "receive what is one's due", "take of", "take a part of a thing", "regain", "recover", "take apart or aside" (of persons), "cut off", and "intercept".
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
ἀγαθά [23 verses] (adj pl neut acc) "Good things" is agathos which means "good" and, when applied to people, "well-born", "gentle", "brave" and "capable". When applied to things, it means "serviceable", "morally good", and "beneficial".
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your". As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power", "during" and "with" (in the sense of nearness). With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into", "on" and "for". Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during".
τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the one".
ζωῇ 42 verses] (noun sg fem dat) "Lifetime" is zoe, which means "living", "substance", "property", "existence", and, incidentally, "the scum on milk". It has the sense of how we say "make a living" to mean property. Homer used it more to mean the opposite of death.
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your". As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "also". After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also". Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also" and "just". In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also". After words implying sameness "as".
Λάζαρος (Hebrew name) "Lazarus" is Lazaros, which is the Greek form of the name "Lazarus".
ὁμοίως [29 verses]( (adv) "Likewise"is homoios, which means "like", "resembling", "the same", "equal in force", "a match for one", "suiting", "of the same rank", "alike", "in like manner" and "equally".
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".
κακά: [7 verses](adj pl neut acc) "Evil things" is kakos, which means "bad", "mean", "base", "ugly", "ill-born", "evil", "worthless", "sorry", "pernicious" and "ill". As an adverb, its sense is "ill", "wickedly", "poorly" and "wrongly".
νῦν [31 verses](adv) "Now" is nyn (nun), which means "now", "at the present moment", "at the present time", "just now", "presently" and "as it is". With the article, its sense is "the present" or "this now".
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but", "yet", "however" and "on the other hand". It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then". In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand". In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet". After an interruption, "so then". It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet". After an interruption, "so then".
ὧδε [29 verses] (adv) "Here" is hode, the demonstrative adverb that means in manner, "in this wise", "thus", "so very", "so exceedingly", of Place, "hither" and "here".
παρακαλεῖται"[6 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "He is comforted" is parakaleo which means "call in", "send for", "invite", "summon", "address", "demand", "exhort", "encouraged", "excite" and "beseech." It means literally "call closer". It is used frequently in the Septuagint but it is used to translate a variety of different Hebrew words and those Hebrew words are translated into a number of other Greek words. The prefix, para, means "beside", "from the side of", "from beside", "from", "issuing from", "near", "by", "with", "along", "past", "beyond" and so on. The based word kaleo, means "call", "summon", and "invite".
σὺ [36 verses](pron 2nd sg nom) "Thee/you" is su , which means "you" in the second-person pronoun in form of a singular subject. -- The "you" here in the second-person pronoun in form of a singular subject. When it has no verb, the verb "is" or the previous verb is assumed. When it has a verb, the subject of the sentence is part of the verb, its explicit use repeats the idea of who is speaking, "you." Saying "you yourself" captures this feeling in English.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but", "yet", "however" and "on the other hand". It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then". In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand". In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet". After an interruption, "so then". It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet". After an interruption, "so then".
ὀδυνᾶσαι. [2 verses](verb 2nd sg pres ind mp late ) "You are tormented" is odynaō, which means to "cause one pain or suffering".
This verse simply describes the afterlife as a balancing point. The rich man is not accused of violating the law or doing evil. He is being "tested" (not "tormented" as the KJV says) because his life was too easy. While Lazarus is being rewarded simply because his life was too hard. Though the "realm of the skies" is not mentioned in this parable, it is consistently described by Jesus as a balance where opposites reverse.