The Meaning of Luke 6:24 Explained

Luke 6:24

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

YLT: But woe to you -- the rich, because ye have got your comfort.

Darby: But woe to you rich, for ye have received your consolation.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Luke 6:24 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The woes contrast with the beatitudes in content and in the structure of the passage (cf. Luke 1:53). They address those disciples who refuse to give up all to follow Jesus or who face temptation to draw back from following Him faithfully (cf. Luke 6:46-49). This section of the sermon begins with a word of strong contrast: but (Gr. plen). "Woe" means "alas," (NEB) or "How terrible," (TEV) and it introduces an expression of pity for those who are under divine judgment. [1]
Disciples who choose present riches over identification with the Son of Man are pitiable because they can expect no greater riches in the future from His hand. The context clarifies that Jesus was not condemning the rich simply for being rich. He was warning those who were choosing present riches at the expense of total commitment to Him as His disciples. Wealth tempts people to think that they need nothing beyond money (cf. Luke 12:19).

Context Summary

Luke 6:12-26 - New Leaders And New Principles
There are three circles here: First, Christ and His Apostles-the men who were to be sent into all the world to preach the gospel and to lay the foundations of the Church. How little did these single men imagine that one day their names would become inscribed on the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem!
The next circle is that of the disciples, Luke 6:17. You must be a disciple before you can be an apostle. You must learn, if you are to teach. You must sit at the feet of Jesus, till some day He calls you out from the class and commissions you to the world. The sheep becomes a shepherd.
The third great outer rim is the poor, needy world. What a gathering of sick folk! But if only people knew the distempers of their soul-life they would gather with equal eagerness to Jesus. How wonderful that secret touch! Luke 6:19. But many still touch Him in the press! [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 6

1  Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12  chooses apostles;
17  heals the diseased;
20  preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27  Love your Enemy
37  Do not Judge
43  A Tree and Its Fruit
46  The House on the Rock

Greek Commentary for Luke 6:24

But woe unto you that are rich [Πλην ουαι υμιν τοις πλουσιοις]
Sharp contrast As a matter of fact the rich Pharisees and Sadducees were the chief opposers of Christ as of the early disciples later (James 5:1-6). [source]
Ye have received [απεχετε]
Receipt in full απεχω — apechō means as the papyri show.Consolation (παρακλησιν — paraklēsin). From παρακαλεω — parakaleō to call to one‘s side, to encourage, to help, to cheer. [source]
Consolation [παρακλησιν]
From παρακαλεω — parakaleō to call to one‘s side, to encourage, to help, to cheer. [source]
Woe []
These woes are not noted by Matthew. [source]
Have received [ἀπέχετε]
In Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16, the Rev. has properly changed “they have their reward” to “they have received. ” The verb, compounded of ἀπό , off orfrom, and ἔχω , lo have, literally means to have nothing left to desire. Thus in Philemon 4:18, when Paul says, “I have all things ( ἀπέχω πάντα ),” he does not mean merely an acknowledgment of the receipt of the Church's gift, but that he is fully furnished. “I have all things to the full.” [source]
Consolation [παράκλησις]
From παρά , to the side of, and καλέω , to call or summon. Literally, a calling to one's side to help; and therefore entreaty, passing on into the sense of exhortation, and thence into that of consolatory exhortation; and so coming round to mean that which one is summoned to give to a suppliant - consolation. Thus it embodies the call for help, and the response to the call. Its use corresponds with that of the kindred verb παρακαλέω , to exhort or console. In its original sense of calling for aid the noun appears in the New Testament only in 2 Corinthians 8:4: with much entreaty. The verb appears frequently in this sense, rendered beseech, pray (Matthew 8:34; Matthew 14:36; Mark 1:40; Mark 5:12, etc.). In the sense of consolation or comfort the noun occurs in Luke 2:25; Luke 6:24; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philemon 1:7. The verb, in Matthew 2:18; Matthew 5:4:; Luke 16:25; 2 Corinthians 1:4. In some instances, however, the meaning wavers between console and exhort. In the sense of exhortation or counsel, the noun may be found in Acts 13:15; Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:22. The verb, in Acts 2:40; Acts 11:23; Acts 14:22; Romans 12:8; Titus 2:15. Neither the noun nor the verb appear in the writings of John, but the kindred word παράκλητος the Paraclete, Comforter, or Advocate, is peculiar to him. On this word, see on John 14:16. It should be noted, however, that the word comfort goes deeper than its popular conception of soothing. It is from the later Latin confortare, to make strong. Thus Wycliffe renders Luke 1:80, “the child waxed, and was comforted in spirit” (A. V., waxed strong )and Tyndale, Luke 22:43, “there appeared an angel from heaven comforting him” (A. V., strengthening )The comfort which Christ gives is not always soothing. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is to convince of sin and ofjudgment. Underlying the word is the sense of a wise counsel or admonition which rouses and braces the moral nature and encourages and strengthens it to do and to endure. When, therefore, Christ says “they that mourn shall be comforted,” he speaks in recognition of the fact that all sorrow is the outcome of sin, and that true comfort is given, not only in pardon for the past, but in strength to fight and resist and overcome sin. The atmosphere of the word, in short, is not the atmosphere of the sick-chamber, but the tonic breath of the open world, of moral struggle and victory; the atmosphere for him that climbs and toils and fights. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 6:24

Mark 14:41 It is enough [απεχει]
Alone in Mark. This impersonal use is rare and has puzzled expositors no little. The papyri (Deissmann‘s Light from the Ancient East and Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary) furnish many examples of it as a receipt for payment in full. See also Matthew 6:2.; Luke 6:24; Philemon 4:18 for the notion of paying in full. It is used here by Jesus in an ironical sense, probably meaning that there was no need of further reproof of the disciples for their failure to watch with him. “This is no time for a lengthened exposure of the faults of friends; the enemy is at the gate” (Swete). See further Matthew 26:45 for the approach of Judas. [source]
Luke 8:38 Besought [ἐδέετο]
Imperfect: was beseeching. See on prayers, Luke 5:33. Rev., prayed. Beseech is used to render παρακαλέω (Mark 5:10). See on consolation, Luke 6:24. Παρακαλέω , beseech, is used of prayer to God in only one instance, 2 Corinthians 12:8, where Paul besought the Lord to remove the thorn in the flesh. Frequently or requests to Christ while on earth. Δεομαι , to pray, often of prayer to God (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; Acts 8:22). It is noticeable that in Luke 8:28, where the demons address Christ as the Son of the highest God, they say δέομαι , I pray. In Luke 8:31, Luke 8:32, where they ask not to be sent away, and to be allowed to enter into the swine, they say παρακαλέω , I beseech. The restored man, recognizing Jesus' divine power, prayed ( ἐδεῖτο ) to be with him. The distinction, however, must not be closely pressed. The two words seem to be often used interchangeably in the New Testament. [source]
Luke 7:4 They besought him instantly [παρεκάλουν σπουδαίως]
On besought, see on Luke 6:24. Instantly, which commonly means at once, is used in its older meaning, pressingly, from the Latin instare, to urge or press upon. So Romans 12:12, “instant in prayer.” Wyc., prayed busily. [source]
Luke 6:24 Consolation [παράκλησις]
From παρά , to the side of, and καλέω , to call or summon. Literally, a calling to one's side to help; and therefore entreaty, passing on into the sense of exhortation, and thence into that of consolatory exhortation; and so coming round to mean that which one is summoned to give to a suppliant - consolation. Thus it embodies the call for help, and the response to the call. Its use corresponds with that of the kindred verb παρακαλέω , to exhort or console. In its original sense of calling for aid the noun appears in the New Testament only in 2 Corinthians 8:4: with much entreaty. The verb appears frequently in this sense, rendered beseech, pray (Matthew 8:34; Matthew 14:36; Mark 1:40; Mark 5:12, etc.). In the sense of consolation or comfort the noun occurs in Luke 2:25; Luke 6:24; 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Philemon 1:7. The verb, in Matthew 2:18; Matthew 5:4:; Luke 16:25; 2 Corinthians 1:4. In some instances, however, the meaning wavers between console and exhort. In the sense of exhortation or counsel, the noun may be found in Acts 13:15; Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:22. The verb, in Acts 2:40; Acts 11:23; Acts 14:22; Romans 12:8; Titus 2:15. Neither the noun nor the verb appear in the writings of John, but the kindred word παράκλητος the Paraclete, Comforter, or Advocate, is peculiar to him. On this word, see on John 14:16. It should be noted, however, that the word comfort goes deeper than its popular conception of soothing. It is from the later Latin confortare, to make strong. Thus Wycliffe renders Luke 1:80, “the child waxed, and was comforted in spirit” (A. V., waxed strong )and Tyndale, Luke 22:43, “there appeared an angel from heaven comforting him” (A. V., strengthening )The comfort which Christ gives is not always soothing. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is to convince of sin and ofjudgment. Underlying the word is the sense of a wise counsel or admonition which rouses and braces the moral nature and encourages and strengthens it to do and to endure. When, therefore, Christ says “they that mourn shall be comforted,” he speaks in recognition of the fact that all sorrow is the outcome of sin, and that true comfort is given, not only in pardon for the past, but in strength to fight and resist and overcome sin. The atmosphere of the word, in short, is not the atmosphere of the sick-chamber, but the tonic breath of the open world, of moral struggle and victory; the atmosphere for him that climbs and toils and fights. [source]
Luke 11:40 Howbeit [πλην]
See note on Luke 6:24. Instead of devoting so much attention to the outside. [source]
Luke 6:34 To receive again as much [ινα απολαβωσιν τα ισα]
Second aorist active subjunctive of απολαμβανω — apolambanō old verb, to get back in full like απεχω — apechō in Luke 6:24. Literally here, “that they may get back the equal” (principal and interest, apparently). It could mean “equivalent services.” No parallel in Matthew. [source]
Luke 6:35 But [πλην]
Plain adversative like πλην — plēn in Luke 6:24. Never despairing Μηδεν — Mēden is read by A B L Bohairic and is the reading of Westcott and Hort. The reading μηδενα — mēdena is translated “despairing of no man.” The Authorized Version has it “hoping for nothing again,” a meaning for απελπιζω — apelpizō with no parallel elsewhere. Field (Otium Nor.iii. 40) insists that all the same the context demands this meaning because of απελπιζειν — apelpizein in Luke 6:34, but the correct reading there is ελπιζειν — elpizein not απελπιζειν — apelpizein Here Field‘s argument falls to the ground. The word occurs in Polybius, Diodorus, lxx with the sense of despairing and that is the meaning here. D and Old Latin documents have nihil desperantes, but the Vulgate has nihil inde sperantes (hoping for nothing thence) and this false rendering has wrought great havoc in Europe. “On the strength of it Popes and councils have repeatedly condemned the taking of any interest whatever for loans. As loans could not be had without interest, and Christians were forbidden to take it, money lending passed into the hands of the Jews, and added greatly to the unnatural detestation in which Jews were held” (Plummer). By “never despairing” or “giving up nothing in despair” Jesus means that we are not to despair about getting the money back. We are to help the apparently hopeless cases. Medical writers use the word for desperate or hopeless cases. [source]
John 14:16 Comforter [παράκλητον]
Only in John's Gospel and First Epistle (John 14:16, John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; 1 John 2:13. From παρά , to the side of, and καλέω , to summon. Hence, originally, one who is called to another's side to aid him, as an advocate in a court of justice. The later, Hellenistic use of παρακαλεῖν and παράκλησις , to denote the act of consoling and consolation, gave rise to the rendering Comforter, which is given in every instance in the Gospel, but is changed to advocate in 1 John 2:1, agreeably to its uniform signification in classical Greek. The argument in favor of this rendering throughout is conclusive. It is urged that the rendering Comforter is justified by the fact that, in its original sense, it means more than a mere consoler, being derived from the Latin confortare, to strengthen, and that the Comforter is therefore one who strengthens the cause and the courage of his client at the bar: but, as Bishop Lightfoot observes, the history of this interpretation shows that it is not reached by this process, but grew out of a grammatical error, and that therefore this account can only be accepted as an apology after the fact, and not as an explanation of the fact. The Holy Spirit is, therefore, by the word παράκλητος , of which Paraclete is a transcription, represented as our Advocate or Counsel, “who suggests true reasonings to our minds, and true courses of action for our lives, who convicts our adversary, the world, of wrong, and pleads our cause before God our Father.” It is to be noted that Jesus as well as the Holy Spirit is represented as Paraclete. The Holy Spirit is to be another Paraclete, and this falls in with the statement in the First Epistle, “we have an advocate with God, even Jesus Christ.” Compare Romans 8:26. See on Luke 6:24. Note also that the word another is ἄλλον , and not ἕτερον , which means different. The advocate who is to be sent is not different from Christ, but another similar to Himself. See on Matthew 6:24. [source]
Romans 12:8 Exhortation []
Aimed at the heart and will. See on consolation, Luke 6:24. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:3; Acts 4:36, where Rev. gives son of exhortation. [source]
Romans 12:1 I beseech [παρακαλῶ]
See on consolation, Luke 6:24. [source]
1 Corinthians 4:13 Intreat [παρακαλοῦμεν]
See on consolation, Luke 6:24, and see on comfort, Acts 9:31. The sense is, we strive to appease by entreaty. [source]
1 Corinthians 14:3 To edification - exhortation - comfort [οἰκοδομὴν - παράκλησιν - παραμυθίαν]
Omit to. For edification see on build up, Acts 20:32. Exhortation, so American Rev. Rev., comfort. See on Luke 6:24. Παραμυθία comfortRev., consolation, occurs only here in the New Testament. Παραμύθιον , which is the same, in Philemon 2:1. The two latter words are found together in Philemon 2:1, and their kindred verbs in 1 Thessalonians 2:11. The differences in rendering are not important. The words will bear either of the meanings in the two Revisions. If παράκλησιν be rendered as Rev., comfort, παραμυθία might be rendered incentive, which implies exhortation. Consolation and comfort border a little too closely on each other. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:10 I beseech [παρακαλῶ]
See on consolation, Luke 6:24. The word occurs more than one hundred times in the New Testament. [source]
Philippians 4:18 I have [ἀπέχω]
I have received in full. See on Matthew 6:2; see on Luke 6:24. [source]
Philippians 2:1 Consolation [παράκλησις]
Rev., comfort. Better, exhortation. See on Luke 6:24. If Christ, by His example, sufferings, and conflicts, exhorts you. [source]
Philippians 2:1 Comfort of love [παραμύθιον]
Rev., consolation. Only here in the New Testament. From παρά besideand μῦθος speechor word. Παρὰ has the same force as in παράκλησις exhortation(see on Luke 6:24); a word which comes to the side of one to stimulate or comfort him; hence an exhortation, an encouragement. So Plato: “Let this, then, be our exhortation concerning marriage” (“Laws,” 773). A motive of persuasion or dissuasion. Plato, speaking of the fear of disgrace, or of ill-repute, says. “The obedient nature will readily yield to such incentives ” (“Laws,” 880). Also an assuagement or abatement. So Sophocles: “Offspring of the noble, ye are come as the assuagement of my woes” (“Electra,” 130). Plato: “They say that to the rich are many consolations ” (“Republic,” 329). Plato also calls certain fruits stimulants ( παραμυθία ) of a sated appetite (“Critias,” 115). Here in the sense of incentive. As related to exhortation, exhortation uses incentive as a ground of appeal. Christ exhorts, appealing to love. Compare Phlippians 1:9sqq. See Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 4:16, etc. The two verbs kindred to exhortation and incentive occur together at 1 Thessalonians 2:11. See on 1 Corinthians 14:3. Render here, if any incentive of love. [source]
1 Thessalonians 2:3 Exhortation [παράκλησις]
See on Luke 6:24and see on 1 Corinthians 14:3. Exhortation or counsel is Paul's usual sense. [source]
1 Timothy 4:13 Exhortation [τῇ παρακλήσει]
Often in Paul. See on consolation, Luke 6:24, see on comfort, Acts 9:31, and see on comforter, John 14:16. [source]
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort [παρακαλῶ]
See on consolation, Luke 6:24. [source]
2 Timothy 4:2 Exhort [παρακάλεσον]
See on consolation, Luke 6:24; see on comfort, Acts 9:31. Tischendorf changes the order of the three imperatives, reading ἔλεγξον, παρακάλεσον, ἐπιτίμησον . In that case there is a climax: first convict of error, then, exhort to forsake error, finally threaten with the penalty of persistence in error. [source]
Hebrews 6:18 Strong consolation [ἰσχυρὰν παράκλησιν]
Ἰσχιρὸς strongimplies indwelling strength embodied or put forth either aggressively or as an obstacle to resistance; as an army or a fortress. For consolation rend. encouragement, and see on Luke 6:24; see on 1 Corinthians 14:3. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 6:24 mean?

But woe to you who are rich for you are receiving the comfort of you
Πλὴν οὐαὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς πλουσίοις Ὅτι ἀπέχετε τὴν παράκλησιν ὑμῶν

οὐαὶ  woe 
Parse: Interjection
Root: οὐαί  
Sense: alas, woe.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
τοῖς  who  are 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πλουσίοις  rich 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: πλούσιος  
Sense: wealthy, abounding in material resources.
ἀπέχετε  you  are  receiving 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀπέχω  
Sense: have.
παράκλησιν  comfort 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: παράκλησις  
Sense: a calling near, summons, (esp.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.