What Is Abraham's Bosom in Luke 16? Don Carson Explains

And so also this one, Abraham now being And so also this one, Abraham now being the place where Lazarus is. Lazarus at the place where Lazarus is. Lazarus at the place where Lazarus is. Lazarus at Abraham's side on Abraham's bosom. If Abraham's side on Abraham's bosom. If Abraham's side on Abraham's bosom. If you want to understand what's going on, you want to understand what's going on, you want to understand what's going on, remind yourself of the biblical remind yourself of the biblical remind yourself of the biblical narratives of the the Passover narratives of the the Passover narratives of the the Passover and in particular the last Passover when and in particular the last Passover when and in particular the last Passover when Jesus is eating it before he goes to the Jesus is eating it before he goes to the Jesus is eating it before he goes to the cross. It looks as if it's one of those cross. It looks as if it's one of those cross. It looks as if it's one of those posh meals that the Jews sometimes had posh meals that the Jews sometimes had posh meals that the Jews sometimes had where instead of standing up or sitting, where instead of standing up or sitting, where instead of standing up or sitting, they actually lay down on on low mats. they actually lay down on on low mats. they actually lay down on on low mats. That was the way they did it with a low That was the way they did it with a low That was the way they did it with a low table and around the low table these table and around the low table these table and around the low table these narrow little mats where each person narrow little mats where each person narrow little mats where each person lent leaned on an arm and then reached lent leaned on an arm and then reached lent leaned on an arm and then reached onto the table and there would be some onto the table and there would be some onto the table and there would be some bread at each place and each person bread at each place and each person bread at each place and each person would take some bread, break some off would take some bread, break some off would take some bread, break some off and dip it into one of the bowls of and dip it into one of the bowls of and dip it into one of the bowls of either fruit puree or meat puree. Do you either fruit puree or meat puree. Do you either fruit puree or meat puree. Do you see? and they would eat it themselves or see? and they would eat it themselves or see? and they would eat it themselves or sometimes pass it to a friend and and sometimes pass it to a friend and and sometimes pass it to a friend and and give it to a friend as part of a a give it to a friend as part of a a give it to a friend as part of a a sharing device that indicates friendship sharing device that indicates friendship sharing device that indicates friendship and and and and affection. But that and and and and affection. But that and and and and affection. But that meant that the person next to Jesus had meant that the person next to Jesus had meant that the person next to Jesus had his back to him. And it turns out when his back to him. And it turns out when his back to him. And it turns out when you put the biblical narratives together you put the biblical narratives together you put the biblical narratives together that the person next to Jesus was John.

that the person next to Jesus was John. that the person next to Jesus was John. John Peter was farther away. John Peter was farther away. John Peter was farther away. And at some point Jesus says some things And at some point Jesus says some things And at some point Jesus says some things that startle everyone. that startle everyone. that startle everyone. You're in the midst of this You're in the midst of this You're in the midst of this prescribed feast of the Jews, the prescribed feast of the Jews, the prescribed feast of the Jews, the Passover feast, Passover feast, Passover feast, and Jesus says in a momentary lull, "One and Jesus says in a momentary lull, "One and Jesus says in a momentary lull, "One of you is going to betray me." of you is going to betray me." of you is going to betray me." Can you imagine the electric shock? Can you imagine the electric shock? Can you imagine the electric shock? I'll bet some of them were just about to I'll bet some of them were just about to I'll bet some of them were just about to put something in their mouth and never put something in their mouth and never put something in their mouth and never quite made it, and others were chewing. And then a little murmur starts around And then a little murmur starts around the table. the table. the table. Sure. Surely not I, Lord. Sure. Surely not I, Lord. Sure. Surely not I, Lord. What is he talking about? What is he talking about? What is he talking about? And from somewhere across the table, And from somewhere across the table, And from somewhere across the table, Peter signals to John because John is Peter signals to John because John is Peter signals to John because John is next to Jesus. next to Jesus. next to Jesus. Ask him what he means. Ask him what he Ask him what he means. Ask him what he Ask him what he means. Ask him what he means. means. means. But of course, although John is next to But of course, although John is next to But of course, although John is next to Jesus, he's got his back to Jesus. So Jesus, he's got his back to Jesus. So Jesus, he's got his back to Jesus. So what you do in those circumstances is what you do in those circumstances is what you do in those circumstances is you push on your arm and you put your you push on your arm and you put your you push on your arm and you put your head back on the bosom of the friend head back on the bosom of the friend head back on the bosom of the friend next to you. That's why John is next to you. That's why John is next to you. That's why John is described as the one who rests his head described as the one who rests his head described as the one who rests his head on Jesus breast on Jesus breast on Jesus breast at the last supper.

at the last supper. at the last supper. So he pushes on his arm, puts his head So he pushes on his arm, puts his head So he pushes on his arm, puts his head on Jesus' breast and he says, "Who is on Jesus' breast and he says, "Who is on Jesus' breast and he says, "Who is it, Lord?" it, Lord?" it, Lord?" And Jesus gives his response. It's the And Jesus gives his response. It's the And Jesus gives his response. It's the one who puts his hand in the bowl with one who puts his hand in the bowl with one who puts his hand in the bowl with me. me. me. Now, from our point of view, that just Now, from our point of view, that just Now, from our point of view, that just seems unseammly, a bit too close, a bit seems unseammly, a bit too close, a bit seems unseammly, a bit too close, a bit too cloying. Listen, if after this meal too cloying. Listen, if after this meal too cloying. Listen, if after this meal I were to go with you to the nearest I were to go with you to the nearest I were to go with you to the nearest McDonald's for a bite to eat, I have to McDonald's for a bite to eat, I have to McDonald's for a bite to eat, I have to tell you, you can jolly well keep your tell you, you can jolly well keep your tell you, you can jolly well keep your head off my breast. head off my breast. head off my breast. Yet, nevertheless, in the context of the Yet, nevertheless, in the context of the Yet, nevertheless, in the context of the first century, what this means is that first century, what this means is that first century, what this means is that John the Baptist is in the place of John the Baptist is in the place of John the Baptist is in the place of privilege, of honor. He's he's at Jesus' privilege, of honor. He's he's at Jesus' privilege, of honor. He's he's at Jesus' right hand. And there's a kind of right hand. And there's a kind of right hand. And there's a kind of intimacy and friendship that has has has intimacy and friendship that has has has intimacy and friendship that has has has John's head on Jesus breast talking him John's head on Jesus breast talking him John's head on Jesus breast talking him to my own familiar friend to use a to my own familiar friend to use a to my own familiar friend to use a biblical expression. biblical expression. biblical expression. And that's where Lazarus is And that's where Lazarus is And that's where Lazarus is next to Abraham. Oh, in this life the rich man ate Oh, in this life the rich man ate sumptuously many course meals [laughter] sumptuously many course meals [laughter] sumptuously many course meals [laughter] every day. And now, of course, they're every day. And now, of course, they're every day. And now, of course, they're in the hereafter.

in the hereafter. in the hereafter. And Abraham, the grandest patriarch of And Abraham, the grandest patriarch of And Abraham, the grandest patriarch of them all, the head of the entire them all, the head of the entire them all, the head of the entire covenant people of God, the head of the covenant people of God, the head of the covenant people of God, the head of the entire Old Testament Abrahamic covenant, entire Old Testament Abrahamic covenant, entire Old Testament Abrahamic covenant, the one who had received spectacular the one who had received spectacular the one who had received spectacular promises that through him and his seed, promises that through him and his seed, promises that through him and his seed, all the nations of the earth would be all the nations of the earth would be all the nations of the earth would be blessed. The man who is called one of blessed. The man who is called one of blessed. The man who is called one of only two men so-called in the Old only two men so-called in the Old only two men so-called in the Old Testament, a friend of God, Testament, a friend of God, Testament, a friend of God, the man of faith, the one who serves in the man of faith, the one who serves in the man of faith, the one who serves in Paul's writings as as the very exemplar Paul's writings as as the very exemplar Paul's writings as as the very exemplar of someone who is justified by faith. of someone who is justified by faith. of someone who is justified by faith. He is there He is there He is there and Lazarus is next to him with his head and Lazarus is next to him with his head and Lazarus is next to him with his head on his breast at a banquet on his breast at a banquet on his breast at a banquet within the biblical framework. Doubtless within the biblical framework. Doubtless within the biblical framework. Doubtless the messianic banquet, although that the messianic banquet, although that the messianic banquet, although that isn't brought up here. And the rich man, where is he? And the rich man, where is he? The rich man also died and was buried. The rich man also died and was buried. The rich man also died and was buried. Doesn't mention Lazarus's burial. Doesn't mention Lazarus's burial. Doesn't mention Lazarus's burial. Mentions the rich man's burial. You Mentions the rich man's burial. You Mentions the rich man's burial. You don't want to read in too much, but don't want to read in too much, but don't want to read in too much, but almost certainly there was a village almost certainly there was a village almost certainly there was a village procession and decent speeches were procession and decent speeches were procession and decent speeches were offered about how much this man had offered about how much this man had offered about how much this man had contributed to our community and had contributed to our community and had contributed to our community and had employed so many people and so forth. He employed so many people and so forth. He employed so many people and so forth. He was buried.

But in Hades, in hell, he was in But in Hades, in hell, he was in torment. He looked up He looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. his side. his side. We're not told how he recognized We're not told how he recognized We're not told how he recognized Abraham. Abraham. Abraham. There were no photographs after all in There were no photographs after all in There were no photographs after all in those days. The the the filling in of those days. The the the filling in of those days. The the the filling in of details like that isn't part part of the details like that isn't part part of the details like that isn't part part of the parable. But somehow or other he parable. But somehow or other he parable. But somehow or other he recognizes who Abraham is. And he recognizes who Abraham is. And he recognizes who Abraham is. And he certainly recognizes Lazarus. He's from certainly recognizes Lazarus. He's from certainly recognizes Lazarus. He's from his village after all. And he sees his village after all. And he sees his village after all. And he sees Lazarus by Abraham's side. That ends the immediate narrative, the That ends the immediate narrative, the contrast between two men. contrast between two men. contrast between two men. And so we start the dialogue verses And so we start the dialogue verses And so we start the dialogue verses 24-31. 24-31. 24-31. There are three cycles. In each case, There are three cycles. In each case, There are three cycles. In each case, the rich man in hell says something and the rich man in hell says something and the rich man in hell says something and then Abraham responds.

then Abraham responds. then Abraham responds. Verse 24 is the first one. What would Verse 24 is the first one. What would Verse 24 is the first one. What would you expect the rich man to say at this you expect the rich man to say at this you expect the rich man to say at this juncture? You follow the narrative with juncture? You follow the narrative with juncture? You follow the narrative with me? The man wakes up in hell, The man wakes up in hell, sees Abraham and Lazarus a long way sees Abraham and Lazarus a long way sees Abraham and Lazarus a long way away. What would you expect him to say? away. What would you expect him to say? away. What would you expect him to say? You see, one of the problems we have You see, one of the problems we have You see, one of the problems we have sometimes in reading the Bible is that sometimes in reading the Bible is that sometimes in reading the Bible is that we've become so sort of superficially we've become so sort of superficially we've become so sort of superficially familiar with it that the shock of familiar with it that the shock of familiar with it that the shock of parables we sometimes lose because we parables we sometimes lose because we parables we sometimes lose because we know the words. We've read them enough know the words. We've read them enough know the words. We've read them enough and we've heard them enough and and and and we've heard them enough and and and and we've heard them enough and and and so on. We we don't hear the shock that so on. We we don't hear the shock that so on. We we don't hear the shock that they that they managed to evoke when they that they managed to evoke when they that they managed to evoke when they were first given. they were first given. they were first given. The only way I can get at the shock now The only way I can get at the shock now The only way I can get at the shock now is to ask you, 'What do you think the is to ask you, 'What do you think the is to ask you, 'What do you think the man would be expected to say? man would be expected to say? man would be expected to say? Wouldn't you expect him to say something Wouldn't you expect him to say something Wouldn't you expect him to say something like, like, like, "Oh my, did I get that wrong?" "Oh, "Oh my, did I get that wrong?" "Oh, "Oh my, did I get that wrong?" "Oh, Lazarus, I am so sorry. Could you ever Lazarus, I am so sorry. Could you ever Lazarus, I am so sorry. Could you ever forgive me? forgive me? forgive me? Oh my, I was so selfish. Oh my, I was so selfish. Oh my, I was so selfish. Oh, I beg of you. Please forgive me. Oh, Oh, I beg of you. Please forgive me. Oh, Oh, I beg of you. Please forgive me. Oh, I wish I could I I wish I could take I wish I could I I wish I could take I wish I could I I wish I could take that all back. I I beg you.

that all back. I I beg you. that all back. I I beg you. Wouldn't you expect him to say something Wouldn't you expect him to say something Wouldn't you expect him to say something like that? But what you get is in fact astonishing. But what you get is in fact astonishing. The rich man does not even speak to The rich man does not even speak to The rich man does not even speak to Lazarus. He still treats him as a menial Lazarus. He still treats him as a menial Lazarus. He still treats him as a menial person and untouchable. person and untouchable. person and untouchable. He says, "Father Abraham, have pity on He says, "Father Abraham, have pity on He says, "Father Abraham, have pity on me." So he's playing the race card, the me." So he's playing the race card, the me." So he's playing the race card, the race and covenant card. Father Abraham, race and covenant card. Father Abraham, race and covenant card. Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool the tip of his finger in water and cool the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. my tongue. my tongue. He doesn't even ask Lazarus himself. He doesn't even ask Lazarus himself. He doesn't even ask Lazarus himself. Get the boss man to send Lazarus. Get the boss man to send Lazarus. Get the boss man to send Lazarus. Lazarus is just part of the menial bunch Lazarus is just part of the menial bunch Lazarus is just part of the menial bunch somewhere beneath the blue collar somewhere beneath the blue collar somewhere beneath the blue collar worker. Thank you. Send Lazarus. worker. Thank you. Send Lazarus. worker. Thank you. Send Lazarus. Look at me. I'm suffering here. It's not Look at me. I'm suffering here. It's not Look at me. I'm suffering here. It's not right. Send this piece of unwashed right. Send this piece of unwashed right. Send this piece of unwashed humanity. Send him to me. In other words, In other words, he demands services from the one to whom he demands services from the one to whom he demands services from the one to whom he would not even give dog food.

The rich man even in hell cannot imagine The rich man even in hell cannot imagine giving up his self-importance. He ignored Lazarus when he was in pain He ignored Lazarus when he was in pain and now he wants something to alleviate and now he wants something to alleviate and now he wants something to alleviate his own pain. his own pain. his own pain. There's not a sign of contrition here There's not a sign of contrition here There's not a sign of contrition here anywhere. son, that's meant to be ironic. son, that's meant to be ironic. The man has started off Abraham. The man has started off Abraham. The man has started off Abraham. All right, son. All right, son. All right, son. He may be a son by genetics, but he's no He may be a son by genetics, but he's no He may be a son by genetics, but he's no son of Abraham by faith. Son, remember that in your lifetime you Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things while Lazarus received your good things while Lazarus received your good things while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is received bad things, but now he is received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. In comforted here and you are in agony. In comforted here and you are in agony. In other words, other words, other words, this remember clause is followed by a this remember clause is followed by a this remember clause is followed by a brief repetition of what's happened in brief repetition of what's happened in brief repetition of what's happened in the previous verses. The rich man, the previous verses. The rich man, the previous verses. The rich man, Lazarus, Lazarus, the rich man. It's Lazarus, Lazarus, the rich man. It's Lazarus, Lazarus, the rich man. It's exactly the same order. It's nicely exactly the same order. It's nicely exactly the same order. It's nicely pulled together just to remind this man pulled together just to remind this man pulled together just to remind this man of of of the narrative that has preceded of of of the narrative that has preceded of of of the narrative that has preceded that has brought him to this point in that has brought him to this point in that has brought him to this point in hell itself.

hell itself. hell itself. And then he says, "And besides all this, And then he says, "And besides all this, And then he says, "And besides all this, between us and you, a great chasm has between us and you, a great chasm has between us and you, a great chasm has been set in place so that those who want been set in place so that those who want been set in place so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can to go from here to you cannot, nor can to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us." anyone cross over from there to us." anyone cross over from there to us." A great gulf fixed. This does not sound as if This does not sound as if anyone in hell is eventually going to anyone in hell is eventually going to anyone in hell is eventually going to get out. There have been some Christians who have There have been some Christians who have argued surely God's love is so powerful, argued surely God's love is so powerful, argued surely God's love is so powerful, so winsome, so pursuing that that so winsome, so pursuing that that so winsome, so pursuing that that eventually everybody in hell will see eventually everybody in hell will see eventually everybody in hell will see the error of their ways and and and turn the error of their ways and and and turn the error of their ways and and and turn and repent and God because he's rich in and repent and God because he's rich in and repent and God because he's rich in mercy will will will eventually forgive mercy will will will eventually forgive mercy will will will eventually forgive their sin and they will escape from hell their sin and they will escape from hell their sin and they will escape from hell and they they will go to heaven and they they will go to heaven and they they will go to heaven themselves.

themselves. themselves. It's hard to justify that conclusion It's hard to justify that conclusion It's hard to justify that conclusion from this passage. from this passage. from this passage. There is a great gulf fixed, a great There is a great gulf fixed, a great There is a great gulf fixed, a great chasm and no one can go from chasm and no one can go from chasm and no one can go from there to here. there to here. there to here. Abraham says, Abraham says, Abraham says, but the striking thing is that Abraham but the striking thing is that Abraham but the striking thing is that Abraham says something else. says something else. says something else. No one can go from here to there. You might well ask yourself who would You might well ask yourself who would want to. But in the narrative, there's only one But in the narrative, there's only one other person at issue, namely Lazarus. other person at issue, namely Lazarus. other person at issue, namely Lazarus. And the only reason given why anybody And the only reason given why anybody And the only reason given why anybody would want to go from here to there in would want to go from here to there in would want to go from here to there in the entire narrative is that somebody the entire narrative is that somebody the entire narrative is that somebody might want to go to might want to go to might want to go to bring a little bit of water bring a little bit of water bring a little bit of water for the rich men. for the rich men. for the rich men. The text doesn't quite say so. But yet The text doesn't quite say so. But yet The text doesn't quite say so. But yet to make sense of what Abraham means when to make sense of what Abraham means when to make sense of what Abraham means when he says he says he says so that those who want to go from here so that those who want to go from here so that those who want to go from here to you cannot. I think you are supposed to you cannot. I think you are supposed to you cannot. I think you are supposed to imagine that Lazarus is as it were to imagine that Lazarus is as it were to imagine that Lazarus is as it were tugging on Abraham's coat and saying tugging on Abraham's coat and saying tugging on Abraham's coat and saying it's it's okay. I'll go. I I'll bring it's it's okay. I'll go. I I'll bring it's it's okay. I'll go. I I'll bring him some water. Okay. Okay. I'll go.

But just as no one can go from there to But just as no one can go from there to here, here, here, no one can go from here to there. no one can go from here to there. no one can go from here to there. The line has been crossed. There's no crossing over. There's no crossing over. There's no turning back.