Luke 16:28

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also end up in this place of torment.’

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The rich man in Hades speaks to Abraham, requesting a postmortem messenger to reach his five living brothers. This plea follows his immediate request for relief from his torment and precedes Abraham’s refusal.

The words — The Greek verb διαμαρτύρηται (diamarturētai) literally means “he may warn” or “solemnly testify,” linked with ἵνα (ina) “that” to mark purpose. The opening clause ἔχω πέντε ἀδελφούς (echō pente adelphous) simply states “I have five brothers” without adding theological qualification.

The thread — The urgency to warn others to avoid destruction mirrors the exhortation in Acts 2:40 and the Spirit’s warnings of affliction in Acts 20:23. The contrast between temporal wealth and eternal fate aligns with the declaration in Psalms 49:12.

Why it lands — The text demands that the living pay attention to the written revelation they already possess. It places the burden of response squarely on those who are still alive rather than on the dead.

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

ἔχωechōI have γὰρgarfor πέντεpentefive ἀδελφούς·adelphousbrothers —ὅπωςhopōsso that διαμαρτύρηταιdiamarturētaihe may warn αὐτοῖςautoisto them ἵναinathat μὴmēnot καὶkaialso αὐτοὶautoithey themselves ἔλθωσινelthōsinmay come εἰςeisto τὸνton<the>τόπονtoponplace τοῦτονtoutonthis τῆςtēs<the>βασάνου.¶basanouof torment.

King James Version

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Cross-references

Psalms 49:12 But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.
Acts 2:40 With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”
Acts 20:23 I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.
1 Thessalonians 4:6 and no one should ever violate or exploit his brother in this regard, because the Lord will avenge all such acts, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.