What Does Luke 16:19 Mean in the King James?

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Luke 16:19 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The feast is not occasional luxury: the Greek frames the rich man as rejoicing, day after day, inside a life dressed for abundance.

THE MEANING

A life can be wrapped in visible abundance and steeped in daily pleasure. Here, wealth is worn on the body and tasted each day; it shapes not only what is owned but the atmosphere a person inhabits.

THE ROOT

εὐφραινόμενος

euphrainomenos

GROWS FROM

φρήν

phrēn

Mind, inner disposition.

“fared sumptuously” in this verse is euphrainomenos. The Greek verb means being merry or rejoicing, with ⁨φρήν⁩ (phrēn, mind or inner disposition) at its center. English foregrounds the lavish fare; the Greek also names a mind made glad by that daily abundance.

ALSO GROWS

euphrosynē: Joy, gladness.

εὐφροσύνη

This related word makes explicit the gladness carried by the rich man’s daily feasting.

phroneō: Think, set the mind.

φρονέω

This related verb connects the root to the mind’s orientation, showing that the verse describes an inner atmosphere as well as outward luxury.

THE PATTERN

Visible abundance can become a daily private world while need remains at its threshold.

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Luke 16:20 · KJVThe next verse places a suffering person at the rich man’s very gate, beside the daily abundance described here.

That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.

Amos 6:6 · KJVLuxury fills the scene while suffering remains outside the revelers’ attention.

Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

James 5:5 · KJVDaily pleasure becomes a self-contained life, even as the verse exposes what that pleasure leaves unseen.

THE THREAD

And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

Luke 12:19 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨εὐφραίνω⁩ (euphrainō, be merry or rejoice): Luke 12 makes merriment a plan for the future, while Luke 16 presents it as a daily rhythm. The shared word lets the reader hear the same private abundance across both scenes.

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