Luke 16:24
New International Version
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

New Living Translation
“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’

English Standard Version
And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’

Berean Standard Bible
So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’

Berean Literal Bible
And having cried out, he said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he might dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am suffering in this flame.'

King James Bible
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

New King James Version
“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’

New American Standard Bible
And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’

NASB 1995
“And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’

NASB 1977
“And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.’

Legacy Standard Bible
And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’

Amplified Bible
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in severe agony in this flame.’

Christian Standard Bible
‘Father Abraham! ’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame! ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Father Abraham!’ he called out, Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’

American Standard Version
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

Contemporary English Version
he said to Abraham, "Have pity on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and touch my tongue. I'm suffering terribly in this fire."

English Revised Version
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He yelled, 'Father Abraham! Have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool off my tongue. I am suffering in this fire.'

Good News Translation
So he called out, 'Father Abraham! Take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue, because I am in great pain in this fire!'

International Standard Version
So he shouted, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool off my tongue, because I am suffering in this fire.'

Majority Standard Bible
So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’

NET Bible
So he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in this fire.'

New Heart English Bible
He called out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue. For I am in anguish in this flame.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.

Weymouth New Testament
So he cried aloud, and said, "'Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'

World English Bible
He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having cried, he said, Father Abraham, deal kindly with me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and may cool my tongue, because I am distressed in this flame.

Berean Literal Bible
And having cried out, he said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he might dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am suffering in this flame.'

Young's Literal Translation
and having cried, he said, Father Abraham, deal kindly with me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and may cool my tongue, because I am distressed in this flame.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he having called out, said, Father Abraham, pity me, and send Lazarus, that he might dip his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And crying out, he said: ‘Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to refresh my tongue. For I am tortured in this fire.’

New American Bible
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’

New Revised Standard Version
He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he called in a loud voice and said, O my father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and wet my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And he called in a loud voice and he said, 'My father, Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazar to dip the tip of his finger in water and moisten my tongue for me; behold, I am suffering in this flame.' “
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he called to him and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Godbey New Testament
And he calling said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, because I am tormented in this flame.

Haweis New Testament
And crying out, he said, Father Abraham, have compassion on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented with this flame.

Mace New Testament
and he cry'd out, saying, father Abraham, take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Weymouth New Testament
So he cried aloud, and said, "'Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'

Worrell New Testament
And, crying, he said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; because I am in anguish in this flame!'

Worsley New Testament
And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rich Man and Lazarus
23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’ 25But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.…

Cross References
Matthew 25:41
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 8:12
But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 13:42
And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50
and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:13
Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 25:30
And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Revelation 14:10-11
he too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. / And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 20:10
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Mark 9:43-48
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire. / where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ / If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. ...

2 Thessalonians 1:9
They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

Jude 1:7
In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.

Isaiah 66:24
“As they go forth, they will see the corpses of the men who have rebelled against Me; for their worm will never die, their fire will never be quenched, and they will be a horror to all mankind.”

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Psalm 11:6
On the wicked He will rain down fiery coals and sulfur; a scorching wind will be their portion.


Treasury of Scripture

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Father.

Luke 16:30
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Luke 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew 3:9
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

have.

1 Samuel 28:16
Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

Isaiah 27:11
When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

in water.

Isaiah 41:17,18
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them…

Isaiah 65:13,14
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: …

John 4:10,14
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water…

and cool.

Zechariah 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

James 3:6
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

for.

Isaiah 66:24
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Mark 9:43-49
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: …

Jump to Previous
Abraham Agony Aloud Anguish Burning Cool Cried Cruelly Cry Crying Deal Dip Distressed End Finger Flame Kindly Lazarus Mercy Pity Suffering Tip Tongue Tormented Water
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Abraham Agony Aloud Anguish Burning Cool Cried Cruelly Cry Crying Deal Dip Distressed End Finger Flame Kindly Lazarus Mercy Pity Suffering Tip Tongue Tormented Water
Luke 16
1. The parable of the unjust steward.
14. Jesus reproves the hypocrisy of the covetous Pharisees.
19. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar.














So he cried out
The Greek word for "cried out" is "φωνέω" (phonéō), which implies a loud call or shout, often from a place of desperation or urgent need. This reflects the rich man's intense suffering and his desperate plea for relief. In the context of the parable, this cry signifies the irreversible chasm between the choices made in life and their eternal consequences. It serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency of repentance and the need to heed God's call while there is still time.

Father Abraham
Addressing Abraham as "Father" indicates the rich man's Jewish heritage, as Abraham is considered the patriarch of the Israelites. This highlights the rich man's misplaced confidence in his lineage for salvation, rather than a personal relationship with God. It underscores the biblical truth that salvation is not based on ancestry or heritage but on faith and obedience to God.

have mercy on me
The plea for mercy, "ἐλεέω" (eleéō), is a request for compassion and relief from suffering. This reflects the rich man's recognition of his dire state and his need for grace. However, it is significant that this plea comes too late, illustrating the importance of seeking God's mercy during one's lifetime. Theologically, it emphasizes the concept of divine justice and the finality of judgment after death.

and send Lazarus
The request to send Lazarus indicates the rich man's continued perception of Lazarus as inferior, even in the afterlife. This reflects a lack of true repentance or understanding of the reversal of fortunes in God's kingdom. It serves as a critique of societal structures that devalue the poor and marginalized, reminding believers of the call to love and serve others selflessly.

to dip the tip of his finger in water
The imagery of dipping a finger in water to cool the tongue is a vivid depiction of the rich man's torment and his longing for even the slightest relief. Water, often symbolizing life and refreshment in Scripture, here contrasts with the rich man's spiritual barrenness and the eternal consequences of his earthly choices. It highlights the stark reality of hell as a place of unquenchable thirst and suffering.

and cool my tongue
The desire to cool his tongue underscores the physical and spiritual torment experienced by the rich man. In biblical symbolism, the tongue often represents speech and the heart's overflow. This detail may suggest the rich man's regret over his words and actions in life, emphasizing the importance of using one's speech to glorify God and edify others.

for I am in agony
The word "agony," from the Greek "ὀδυνάω" (odynáō), conveys intense pain and distress. This term captures the severity of the rich man's suffering in hell, serving as a sobering reminder of the reality of eternal separation from God. It calls believers to reflect on the gravity of sin and the urgency of sharing the gospel with others.

in this fire
Fire, in biblical literature, often symbolizes judgment and purification. Here, it represents the unending torment of hell, a place of separation from God's presence. This imagery serves as a warning of the consequences of rejecting God's offer of salvation. It challenges believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing their relationship with God above all else.

(24) Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger . . .--The words, in their relation to the effect of the punishment on the rich man's character, offer two tenable explanations. On the one hand, they have been thought to indicate the old selfish arrogance and heartlessness of the man who still looks on Lazarus as one who may be sent hither and thither, at any cost of suffering, to do his bidding and minister to his ease; on the other, we may see in them the traces of pride conquered, and the cry for mercy at last coming from lips that had never uttered it before, and the craving for help and sympathy from one whom in his lifetime he had despised as beneath his notice. There is something terribly significant in the fact that it is the "tongue" that suffers most in that agonising flame. That was the organ of the sense which the man had pampered by his riotous and sumptuous living: that is now the chief instrument of retribution. The lesson is the same as that which a poet of our own has taught us--

"The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices

Make instruments to scourge us."--

Shakespeare, King Lear, v. 3.

Verse 24. - And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. His intense longing seems to be for companionship. "Oh for a friend," he seems to say, "who could speak to me, comfort me, give me the smallest alleviation of the pain I suffer!" What picture of a hell was ever painted by man comparable to this vision of eternal solitude, peopled alone by remorseful memories, described by Jesus? As the Divine Speaker advanced in his thrilling, melancholy description of the rich man's condition in the world to come, how vividly must the listeners have recalled the Master's earnest advice to them, in his former parable of the steward, to make to themselves while here friends who would receive them into everlasting habitations! They saw the meaning of that detail of the parable then. Were flay, in their luxurious abundance, were they making friends here who would help them there in the eternal tents? Were they not, perhaps, making the same mistake as the rich man of the story? The question might be asked - Why is Abraham, the father of the chosen race, the centre of this blessed life in Hades? In reply, firstly, it must be remembered that the whole colouring of this parable is peculiarly rabbinic, and in the schools of the rabbis the life of the blessed in Paradise is represented as a banquet, over which, until Messiah come, Abraham is represented as presiding. And, secondly, when the parable was spoken, the Saviour was actually on earth; his great redemption work had still to be accomplished. There was truth as well as error mingled in that strange rabbinical teaching. Messiah, as Messiah, when the parable was being probably acted, had not entered that realm where Abraham and many another holy and humble man of heart were in the enjoyment of exquisite bliss.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

cried out,
φωνήσας (phōnēsas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5455: From phone; to emit a sound; by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation.

‘Father
Πάτερ (Pater)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

Abraham,
Ἀβραάμ (Abraam)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 11: Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.

have mercy on
ἐλέησόν (eleēson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1653: To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.

me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

send
πέμψον (pempson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3992: To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.

Lazarus
Λάζαρον (Lazaron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2976: Probably of Hebrew origin; Lazarus, the name of two Israelites.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

dip
βάψῃ (bapsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 911: (a) I dip, (b) I dye.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tip
ἄκρον (akron)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 206: The end, extremity. Neuter of an adjective probably akin to the base of akmen; the extremity.

of
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

finger
δακτύλου (daktylou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 1147: A finger. Probably from deka; a finger.

in water
ὕδατος (hydatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

cool
καταψύξῃ (katapsyxē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2711: To cool, refresh. From kata and psucho; to cool down, i.e. Refresh.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

tongue.
γλῶσσάν (glōssan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1100: The tongue; by implication, a language.

For
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

I am in agony
ὀδυνῶμαι (odynōmai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3600: To torment, pain; mid. and pass: To be tormented, pained; I suffer acute pain, physical or mental. From odune; to grieve.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this
ταύτῃ (tautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

fire.’
φλογὶ (phlogi)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5395: A flame. From a primary phlego; a blaze.


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NT Gospels: Luke 16:24 He cried and said 'Father Abraham have (Luke Lu Lk)
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