27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Luke 16:27-28 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Here the rich man is represented as retaining even in hell some tenderness for his relations on earth; yet others think, that the kindness intended, was rather to himself than to his relations; fearing that their sinning by his example should be an aggravation of his own torments.
Note thence, that the presence of sinful relations and companions in hell, may be supposed to make a considerable addition to the miseries of the damned: the sight of those whom they have sinned with, is a fresh revival of their own guilt; all the circumstances of their past and profligate lives are upon this occasion continually in their remembrance.
Note further, this miserable wretch is convinced that he could not get out of hell, therefore he desires that no friend of his might come in. He knew well enough, that if they were once there, they would come out no more. Indeed, God will at the great day send forth his writ to the graves to bring out the bodies of the wicked that are shut up there; and will send out his writ to hell, to bring forth the spirits that are shut in there; but it is in order to this, that both soul and body together may receive an eternal sentence for everlasting imprisonment with the devil and his angels, and there will be no more opening forever.
BURKITT | Luke 16:1-7 | Luke 16:8 | Luke 16:9 | Luke 16:10-12 | Luke 16:13 | Luke 16:14 | Luke 16:15 | Luke 16:16-18 | Luke 16:19-21 | Luke 16:22-23 | Luke 16:24 | Luke 16:25 | Luke 16:26 | Luke 16:27-28 | Luke 16:29 | Luke 16:30 | Luke 16:31|