Luke 16:21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

◄ Luke 16:21 ►

New International Version
and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

New Living Translation
As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.

English Standard Version
who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Berean Standard Bible
and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Berean Literal Bible
and desiring to be fed from that falling from the table of the rich man; but even the dogs, coming, were licking his sores.

King James Bible
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

New King James Version
desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

New American Standard Bible
and longing to be fed from the scraps which fell from the rich man’s table; not only that, the dogs also were coming and licking his sores.

NASB 1995
and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

NASB 1977
and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

Legacy Standard Bible
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

Amplified Bible
He [eagerly] longed to eat the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

Christian Standard Bible
He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores.

American Standard Version
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Contemporary English Version
He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them.

English Revised Version
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Lazarus would have eaten any scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Lazarus was covered with sores, and dogs would lick them.

Good News Translation
hoping to eat the bits of food that fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs would come and lick his sores.

International Standard Version
He was always trying to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs used to come and lick his sores.

Majority Standard Bible
and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

NET Bible
who longed to eat what fell from the rich man's table. In addition, the dogs came and licked his sores.

New Heart English Bible
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Webster's Bible Translation
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores.

Weymouth New Testament
covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay, the dogs, too, used to come and lick his sores.

World English Bible
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and desiring to be filled from the crumbs that are falling from the table of the rich man; indeed, also the dogs, coming, were licking his sores.

Berean Literal Bible
and desiring to be fed from that falling from the table of the rich man; but even the dogs, coming, were licking his sores.

Young's Literal Translation
and desiring to be filled from the crumbs that are falling from the table of the rich man; yea, also the dogs, coming, were licking his sores.

Smith's Literal Translation
And eagerly desirous to be fed from crumbs falling from the rich one's table: but also the dogs, coming, licked off his wounds.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores.

Catholic Public Domain Version
wanting to be filled with the crumbs which were falling from the wealthy man’s table. But no one gave it to him. And even the dogs came and licked his sores.

New American Bible
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

New Revised Standard Version
who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He longed to fill his stomach with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s tray; the dogs also came and licked his boils.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And he longed to fill his belly with the fragments that fell from the rich man's table, but also the dogs would come licking his abscesses.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
and he would gladly have been fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. And even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Godbey New Testament
and desiring to be fed by the crumbs falling from the table of the rich man; but the dogs also coming continued to lick his sores.

Haweis New Testament
and importunately desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: yea even the dogs came and licked his ulcers.

Mace New Testament
but he wanted to be fed with the crumbs, that fell from the rich man's table.

Weymouth New Testament
covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay, the dogs, too, used to come and lick his sores.

Worrell New Testament
and desiring to be fed with the crumbs falling from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs, coming, were licking his sores.

Worsley New Testament
who was laid at his gate full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table: and the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the poor man died,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Rich Man and Lazarus
…20And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores 21and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 15:27
“Yes, Lord,” she said, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Mark 7:28
“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’ / Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? ...

1 Samuel 2:8
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Psalm 41:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.

Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.

Deuteronomy 15:11
For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.

Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Job 29:15-16
I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame. / I was a father to the needy, and I took up the case of the stranger.

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.

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 15:26
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

Treasury of Scripture

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

desiring.

1 Corinthians 4:11
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

2 Corinthians 11:27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

crumbs.

Matthew 15:27
And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Mark 7:28
And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

John 6:12
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

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Luke 16

1. The parable of the unjust steward.
14. Jesus reproves the hypocrisy of the covetous Pharisees.
19. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar.

Berean Study Bible

and longing to be fed
The Greek word for "longing" is "ἐπιθυμέω" (epithymeō), which conveys a deep desire or yearning. This word is often used in the New Testament to describe a strong, sometimes unfulfilled, desire. In this context, it highlights the extreme poverty and desperation of the beggar, Lazarus. His longing is not for a feast, but merely for the crumbs, underscoring his dire situation. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the poor and needy being overlooked by those who have plenty, a call for compassion and justice.

with the crumbs
The term "crumbs" (Greek: "ψιχίων," psichiōn) refers to small pieces or scraps of food. In the historical context of the first century, it was common for wealthy individuals to use bread to clean their hands during meals and then discard it. These discarded pieces were what Lazarus longed for, symbolizing the minimal sustenance he sought. This imagery serves as a powerful indictment of the rich man's indifference and a reminder of the biblical call to care for the least among us.

that fell from the rich man’s table
The phrase "fell from the rich man’s table" paints a vivid picture of the disparity between the rich and the poor. In ancient times, tables were often low, and diners reclined on couches. The food that fell was considered waste, yet it was the only hope for Lazarus. This highlights the neglect and lack of charity from the rich man, who represents those who are blind to the needs of others. Theologically, it challenges believers to examine their own lives and attitudes towards wealth and generosity.

Even the dogs came
The mention of "dogs" (Greek: "κύνες," kynes) is significant. In Jewish culture, dogs were considered unclean animals, often associated with scavengers. Their presence in this narrative emphasizes Lazarus's lowly state, as he is not only ignored by humans but also surrounded by creatures considered impure. Yet, paradoxically, the dogs show more compassion than the rich man by tending to Lazarus's wounds. This serves as a critique of societal values and a call to emulate the unexpected kindness shown by the dogs.

and licked his sores
The act of licking "sores" (Greek: "ἕλκη," helkē) by the dogs is both a literal and symbolic gesture. In the ancient world, it was believed that a dog's saliva had healing properties. Thus, the dogs' actions could be seen as a form of care and attention that Lazarus did not receive from his fellow humans. Spiritually, this highlights the theme of God's care and provision coming from unexpected sources. It challenges believers to recognize and respond to the needs of others, regardless of societal norms or prejudices.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(21) And desiring to be fed with the crumbs.--The habits of the East, the absence of knives and forks and the like, made the amount of waste of this kind larger than do the habits of modern Europe. (Comp. the language of the Syro-Ph?nician woman, in Mark 7:28.) Here the picture is heightened by two touches. The dogs are there, and get the crumbs, which the man fails to get, and then they come and lick the open sores. The question has been raised whether this touch is meant to intensify the sufferings of the beggar, or to contrast the almost human sympathy of the brute with the brutal apathy of the man. In a European apologue the latter might, perhaps, be a legitimate explanation of the fact thus stated; but with the Eastern feelings, that see in the dog an unclean beast, the scavenger of the streets, we cannot doubt that the beggar would have shrunk from their licking, even assuming, which is doubtful, that it brought with it some relief from merely physical pain. It may be noted, too, that the word for "dogs" is not the diminutive form used in Matthew 15:27, and Mark 7:28 (where see Note), which implied tameness, but that which is always associated with the idea of abhorrence (Matthew 7:6; Philippians 3:2; 2Peter 2:22; Revelation 22:15). . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

longing
ἐπιθυμῶν (epithymōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1937: To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for.

to be fed
χορτασθῆναι (chortasthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 5526: To feed, satisfy, fatten. From chortos; to fodder, i.e. to gorge.

with
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

crumbs that fell
πιπτόντων (piptontōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

from
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

rich man’s
πλουσίου (plousiou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4145: Rich, abounding in, wealthy; subst: a rich man. From ploutos; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with.

table.
τραπέζης (trapezēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5132: Probably contracted from tessares and peze; a table or stool, usually for food; also a counter for money.

Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

dogs
κύνες (kynes)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2965: A dog, universally despised in the East. A primary word; a dog.

came
ἐρχόμενοι (erchomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

[and] licked
ἐπέλειχον (epeleichon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 621: To lick off, lick clean, lick up. From apo and leicho; to lick clean.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

sores.
ἕλκη (helkē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1668: A (festering) sore, a wound. Probably from helkuo; an ulcer.

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NT Gospels: Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed (Luke Lu Lk)