What Does Luke 16:25 Mean in the King James?

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 · 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.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The repeated “now” turns the sentence on one hinge: what each person received before does not determine who is comforted now.

THE MEANING

The verse holds a whole life beside its present condition: what is received as good in one season does not settle what is true now. Lazarus is comforted while the rich man is tormented, and both realities are named plainly. Its repeated “now” makes the reversal immediate.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse undoes the belief that receiving good things guarantees lasting comfort. A former condition does not lock in the present one.

THE ROOT

παρακαλεῖται

parakaleitai

GROWS FROM

παρακαλέω

parakaleō

To comfort or console; also to urge or appeal.

The Greek verb used for Lazarus being comforted also appears in the rich man’s “I pray thee” in verse 27, where it means appeal or urge. English separates those actions, while the shared root puts a plea for relief and received comfort in the same word family.

ALSO GROWS

parakalō: I appeal; I urge.

παρακαλῶ

The rich man’s “I pray thee” in Luke 16:27 uses this verb, linking his plea with Lazarus’s comfort.

paraklēsis: Comfort; consolation.

παράκλησις

This related noun names comfort directly, showing the same word family in another form.

ὀδυνᾶσαι

odynasai

GROWS FROM

ὀδυνάω

odynaō

To cause pain or suffer pain; to experience anguish.

“tormented” in this verse is odynasai. The Greek word names experienced pain and anguish without specifying their mechanism. A related form is also translated “sorrowing,” placing grief and torment inside the same word family.

ALSO GROWS

odynē: Pain, anguish, sorrow.

ὀδύνη

This related noun shows that the root’s range includes grief as well as suffering.

odynōmenoi: Suffering with grief; sorrowing.

ὀδυνώμενοι

This form appears as “sorrowing” in Luke 2:48, showing the same anguish-root in a different English rendering.

THE PATTERN

Present fullness and deprivation are not permanent verdicts; scripture shows them being turned.

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

1 Samuel 2:7 · KJVLow and high conditions move in opposite directions, matching the verse’s sharp reversal in who is comforted and who suffers.

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Luke 6:21 · KJVHunger and tears are paired with later fullness and laughter, making present deprivation reversible.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Luke 6:24 · KJVThe rich have already received their consolation, echoing the contrast between what was received and the condition that follows.

THE THREAD

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

Luke 16:27 · KJV

The rich man’s “I pray thee” (⁨παρακαλῶ⁩, parakalō; appeal or urge) and Lazarus being “comforted” (⁨παρακαλεῖται⁩, parakaleitai) are forms of one Greek verb. English separates plea from comfort; Greek places them in the same word family.

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