Bible Strands
Luke 16:19
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator introduces the story to the Pharisees immediately following Jesus’ teaching on divorce in Luke 16:18. The text places the wealthy figure in a specific narrative moment before introducing the beggar at his gate in Luke 16:20.
The words — The Greek term πλοῦσιος (plousios) identifies the subject as rich, while ἐνεδιδύσκετο (enedidysketo) describes his ongoing state of being clothed in πορφύραν (porphuran), or purple fabric.
The thread — This depiction of daily luxury parallels the complacency warned against in Ezekiel 16:49 and the indulgent lifestyle condemned in Amos 6:4. It also anticipates the later teaching in Luke 18:24 regarding the difficulty of wealth and the kingdom of God.
Why it lands — The plain text presents a man whose daily existence is defined by material abundance rather than spiritual condition. It demands recognition of how extreme comfort can obscure the presence of desperate need nearby.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 16:49 Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy.
- Luke 18:24 Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
- Amos 6:4 You lie on beds inlaid with ivory, and lounge upon your couches. You dine on lambs from the flock and calves from the stall.
- Ezekiel 27:7 Of embroidered fine linen from Egypt they made your sail, which served as your banner. Of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah they made your awning.
- James 5:1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
- Judges 8:26 The weight of the gold earrings he had requested was 1,700 shekels, in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple garments of the kings of Midian, and the chains from the necks of their camels.
- Job 21:11 They send forth their little ones like a flock; their children skip about,
- Psalms 73:3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- Ezekiel 16:13 So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be queen.
- Mark 15:17 They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head.