What did the rich man see after dying, according to Luke 16?
After dying, the rich man was buried and in hell, down in Sheol, he lifted up his eyes being in torment. He saw Abraham afar off and Lazarus in Abraham's bosom. He then cried out to Father Abraham for mercy, asking that Lazarus cool his tongue in the flame.
Les explains that Luke 16 gives the account of the rich man and Lazarus. The beggar died and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom, while the rich man also died and was buried. In hell, described as Sheol or Hades, he lifted up his eyes in torment and saw Abraham afar off, with Lazarus in his bosom. Les notes this is one instance presented for our benefit, not something that happened routinely. The rich man then cried to Father Abraham for mercy, asking that Lazarus dip his finger in water to cool his tongue because he was tormented in flame. Les points out he was not there bodily; he was only there in the realm of the soul and spirit, while the lake of fire is yet future.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
More Questions
What does 'hell' mean in the story of the rich man and Lazarus?
The 'hell' mentioned in Luke's account of the rich man and Lazarus is Sheol, the same place as the center-most part of the earth where the rich man was in torment.