The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Luke 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
And in all this between us and you a great chasm has been firmly fixed so those desiring to step across from here to you do not have the power nor do they step across from there to us.
The pronoun "you" here changes from singular to plural. So the "you" means not just the rich man but all those in his position and to use today.
There are two words that are unique for Jesus used here. Both are used intentionally to create a specific image. One is the word translated as "gulf" and chasm. It is the Greek root of our word, chasm.
The other is used twice and translated as "pass/go/cross." It means to to "stride”, "walk”, "walk or stand with legs apart”, "planting himself firmly”, "great straddling”, "mighty stride”, "step across” and "pass over”. Using it intentionally creates the image of a person trying to step across a chasm.
We have to step up if we want to step across.
καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τούτοις μεταξὺ ἡμῶν καὶ ὑμῶν χάσμα μέγα ἐστήρικται,
And in all this between us and you a chasm great has been firmly fixed
ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ δύνωνται,
so those desiring to step across from here to you do not have the power
μηδὲ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπερῶσιν.
nor do they step across to us. from there
And beside(OS) all this(WN), between us and you there is(WT) a great gulf fixed: so that they(CW) which(IW) would(CW,WF) pass(WF) from hence to you can(CW)not; neither can(IW) they pass to us, [that would come(IP)] from thence.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "beside" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "this" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- WT --Wrong Tense - The English verb "is fixed" is not the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "has been fixed."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "they”.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This "would" is not a helping verb indicating the future tense. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "wanting”.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "wanting”.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but an infinitive, "to pass”.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence. The verb here is translated as active but it is either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "can" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "that would come" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "beside" should be something more like "in”.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "this" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "who" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "wanting”,
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "go”.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "can" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "anyone" doesn't exist in the source.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”,
beside -- -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used. The word translated as "beside" means "in”, "on”, "within”, "among", "by" (near), "by" (as an instrument), "during" (time) or "among" with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time”, "in the time”, "within” and "in”. With the direct object form, it means "into", "on" and "for”.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole”, "every” and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything”. As an adverb, it means "in every way”, "on every side” and "altogether”.
this, -- (WN) The word translated as "this" means "from here", "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there". As a pronoun by itself, it means "this here" but it can be shortened to just "this”. The Bible usually translates it as the adjective "this" when it appears after words modifying them, which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used before the word, also can mean "this”. This word is not singular but plural.
between - The word translated as "between" is normally an adverb meaning "in the midst" but it has a special use as the preposition meaning "between" in the sense of between two parties to an agreement or discussion. Jesus only uses this word four times, always where the sense of "separating" differentiates it from the common word translated as "between”.
us -- The "our" is the plural possessive first-person pronoun.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”.
you - The word translated as "you" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. The plural is interesting because the rich man was addressed in the singular before.
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- (WT) This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is not the present but the past perfect tense, "has been”.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
great -- The word translated as "great" means "big", "high", "elder”, "great” and "impressive”.
gulf - "Gulf" is the Greek source of our word "chasm”, which means "yawning chasm”, "gulf”, "open”, "gaping mouth” and "any wide opening”. This word is only used here by Jesus. The form of the word and its adjective is either the subject or the object of the verb. So, "the chasm has established itself" or "he has established the chasm himself”.
fixed: -- "Fixed" is a Greek verb that means to "make fast”, "prop”, "fix", and "support". Jesus only uses this word twice. It is the word that means setting a stone in the ground so it won't move and putting a rainbow in the clouds, but metaphorically, it means "to establish”. It is not active or passive, but the form where the subject acts for or on itself. So, "has established itself" or "has established for itself”.
so that -- The word translated as "so that" means "in such a manner as" and "in order that”. It is one of those Greek words that introduce a new phrase that offers an explanation.
they -- (CW) The word translated as "they" is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the". See this article for more. This is not the word usually translated as "they”.
which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
would -- (CW, WF) The Greek word translated as "would" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose”. As a participle, it can mean "willingly" and "gladly”.
pass -- (WF) "Pass" is a Greek verb that means to "stride”, to "step across” or "pass over". This word is only used here by Jesus. It is in the form of an infinitive, "to pass over”. The form is an infinitive because that form works with the "those wanting”. This is not an active verb but an infinitive.
from hence - "From hence" is a word that means "from that place" and "from that point” and "hence”. In English, in this context, we would say "from here”. Jesus only uses it twice.
to -- The word translated as "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of it object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards”, "by reason of”, "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of”, "against” and several other types of "before”.
you -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
can -- (CW) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is an active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. In English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. See this article.
not; -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests. It applies to will, feeling, and thought.
neither -- The Greek word "neither" is an adverb that means, literally, "not however", "not at all" or "no even”. As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.
can -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
pass -- "Pass" is a Greek verb uniquely used here that means to "go over”, "go across”, "pass through”, "pierce”, "traverse”, "reach” and "arrive at a place”.
to-- The word translated as "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of it object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards”, "by reason of”, "before", both in time and place, "in the presence of”, "against”, and several other types of "before”.
us -- "Us" is the 1st person, plural, accusative pronoun. Jesus only uses this pronoun in seven verses, most often in the Lord's Prayer.
that would come -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
from thence. -"From that place" is a single word, an adverb that means "from that place", "thence", "from that fact” and "thenceforward”.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”.
beside -- -- (WW) The word translated as "beside" means "in”, "on”, "within”, "among", "by" (near), "by" (as an instrument) or "during" (time), with an indirect-object form object. About time, it means "during the time”, "in the time”, "within” and "in”. With the direct object form, it means "into", "on” and "for". This word doesn't mean "beside”.
all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all”, "the whole”, "every" and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything”, As an adverb, it means "in every way”, "on every side” and "altogether”.
this, -- (WN) The word translated as "this" means "from here", "from there" or "this/that thing/person here/there”. As a pronoun by itself, it means "this here" but it can be shortened to just "this”. The Bible usually translates it as the adjective "this" when it appears after words modifying them, which is confusing because the definite article, with which it is often used before the word, also can mean "this”. This word is not singular but plural.
between - The word translated as "between" is normally an adverb meaning "in the midst" but it has a special use as the preposition meaning "between" in the sense of between two parties to an agreement or discussion. Jesus only uses this word four times, always where the sense of "separating" differentiates it from the common word translated as "between”.
us -- The "our" is the plural possessive first-person pronoun.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”.
you - The word translated as "you" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the possessive (genitive) case. The plural is interesting because the rich man was addressed in the singular before.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
great -- The word translated as "great" means "big”, "high", "elder”, "great” and "impressive”.
chasm- "Gulf" is the Greek source of our word "chasm”, which means "yawning chasm”, "gulf”, "open”, "gaping mouth” and "any wide opening”. This word is only used here by Jesus. The form of the word and its adjective is either the subject or the object of the verb. So, "the chasm has established itself" or "he has established the chasm himself”.
has -- This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.
been This helping verb "is" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is not the present but the past perfect tense, "has been”.
set in place -- (CW) "Set in place" is a Greek verb that means to "make fast", "prop”, "fix", and "support". Jesus only uses this word twice. It is the word that means setting a stone in the ground so it won't move and putting a rainbow in the clouds, but metaphorically, it means "to establish”. It is not active or passive, but the form where the subject acts for or on itself. So, "has established itself" or "has established for itself”. This is not the word usually translated as "set in place." CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "set in place”.
so that -- The word translated as "so that" means "in such a manner as”, and "in order that". It is one of those Greek words that introduce a new phrase that offers an explanation.
those -- The word translated as "they" is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the”. See this article for more.
who -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
want -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "would" expresses consent and even delight in doing something. It is not the same as the helper verb "will" in English. It means "to consent" and "to be resolved to a purpose”. As a participle, it can mean "willingly" and "gladly”.
to -- This "to" is added to create the infinitive form of the following verb.
go -- (CW) "Pass" is a Greek verb that means to "stride”, to "step across” or "pass over". This word is only used here by Jesus. It is in the form of an infinitive, "to pass over”. The form is an infinitive because that form works with the "those wanting”. This is not the word usually translated as "go”.
from here - "From here" is a word that means "from that place" and "from that point” and "hence”. In English, in this context, we would say "from here”. Jesus only uses it twice.
to -- The word translated as "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of it object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards", "by reason of”, "before” both in time and place, "in the presence of”, "against” and several other types of "before”.
you -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition.
can -- (CW) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. In English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. See this article.
not; -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests. It applies to will, feeling, and thought.
nor -- The Greek word "neither" is an adverb that means, literally, "not however”, "not at all" or "no even”. As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.
can -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
anyone -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
cross -- "Cross" is a Greek verb uniquely used here that means to "go over", "go across”, "pass through”, "pierce”, "traverse”, "reach” and "arrive at a place”.
from thence. -"From there" is a single word, an adverb that means "from that place", "thence", "from that fact," and "thenceforward”.
to-- The word translated as "to" has a meaning that depends on the form of its object and its verb types. Generally, it means "towards”, "by reason of”, "before" both in time and place, "in the presence of”, "against” and several other types of "before”.
us -- "Us" is the 1st person, plural, accusative pronoun. Jesus only uses this pronoun in seven verses, most often in the Lord's Prayer.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and”, or "also”. After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also". Also used to give emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”. In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also”. After words implying sameness "as”.
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with its usual indirect (dative) object, "in”, "on”, "at”, "by”, "among”, "within”, "surrounded by”, "in one's hands”, "in one's power”, "during” and "with" (in the sense of nearness). With a direct (accusative) object, it means "into”, "on” and "for”. Referring to time, it means "in the course of" or "during”.
πᾶσι [212 verses](adj pl masc dat) "All" is pas, which means "all”, "the whole”, "every”, "anyone”, "all kinds” and "anything”. In the adverbial form, it means "every way”, "on every side", "in every way” and "altogether”.
τούτοις [154 verses](adj pl neut dat) "This" is toutos, (touto, toutou)which means "from here”, "from there”, "this [thing] there” or "that [person] here”. In the neuter plural form, it is often used as the object of the verb to means "these things”.
μεταξὺ [4 verses](adv)"Between" is metaxy, which means "in the midst" and therefore (of Place) "between”, (of Time) "meanwhile”, (of Qualities) "intermediate” and (of Degree) "the difference”. As a preposition, it takes the genitive case and has the sense of "between" to parties to an agreement or discussion.
ἡμῶν [17 verses](pro 1st pl gen) "Us" is hemon, which is the plural possessive (genitive) form of the first-person pronoun. A genitive object of a preposition means a movement away from something or a position away from something else. The time sense of a genitive object is that the event occurred within a specified time.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and” or "also”. After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also”. Also used to give emphasis, "even”, "also" and "just”. In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also”. After words implying sameness "as”.
ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you”. It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition. As an object of a preposition, the genitive indicates movement away or a position away from something.-
χάσμα [1 verse](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Gulf" is chasma, which means "yawning chasm”, "gulf”, "open”, "gaping mouth”, and "any wide opening”.
μέγα [47 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) "Great" is megas, which means "big", "full-grown”, "elder" of age, "vast", "high”, "great”, "mighty”, "strong” (of the elements), "loud" (of sounds), "over-great” (with a bad sense), "impressive" (of style), and "long" ( of days).
ἐστήρικται, [2 verses](verb 3rd sg perf ind mp) "There is...fixed" is stērizō, which means to "make fast”, "prop”, "fix", and "support”. In the passive, "to be firmly set or fixed” and "stand fast”. Metaphorically, it means to "confirm” and "establish”.
ὅπως [14 verses](conj) "So that" is hopos, which is a conjunction that means "in such a manner as", "in order that”, "in the manner in which”, "how", [with negative] "there is no way that” and [in questions] "in what way”.
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "They" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
θέλοντες [64 verses](part pl pres act masc nom) "They which would" is thelo, which as a verb means "to be willing” (of consent rather than desire), "to wish”, "to ordain”, "to decree”, "to be resolved to a purpose", "to maintain”, "to hold”, "to delight in” and "will” (too express a future event with inanimate objects). It is a prolonged form (only found in NT) of a verb that means "to be resolved to a purpose" so, in a sense, "to decide”, and "to desire”. As a participle, it means "being willing" or, adverbially, "willingly” and "gladly". In the Hebrew, "will" or "desire" is chaphets, which means "to delight in”, "to take pleasure in” and "to be pleased with”.
διαβῆναι [1 verse](verb aor inf act) "Pass" is diabaino, which means to "stride”, "walk”, "walk or stand with legs apart", "planting himself firmly", "great straddling”, "mighty stride”, "step across”, "pass over”, "bestride”, "decide”, "come home to" and "affect”.
ἔνθεν [2 verses](adv) "Hence" is from enthade (enthen), which means "thence”, "from that point", "from that cause”, "from that place” and "wence”.
πρὸς [92 verses](prep) "Unto" is from pros, which means both "from" (descent, a place), "on the side of” and "toward”. Its meaning depends on the form of its object. An indirect object (dative) implies no movement but in a fixed position. A direct object (accusative ) indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time. In statements about time, it means "at”, "near”, "about” or "for" a future time. With verbs of motion, “towards”, “to”, with verbs implying previous motion, “upon”, “against”; verbs of addition "to”, verbs of seeing "towards", "to face" in hostile sense, "against”, "in accusation”, without any hostile "to”, of various kinds of intercourse or reciprocal action "with”, "at the hands of”, "incurred by”, "inspired by", "before” a witness, of Time, "towards” or "near”, of Relation between two objects "in respect of”, "touching”, "in reference to”, "in consequence of”, "for a purpose”, "in proportion”, "in comparison with”, of measurements of time "for”, "a little past”, of Numbers "up to”, "about”. A possessive object (genitive) indicates movement away or a position away from something, "from", "towards”, "from the presence of”. Events occur within a specified time. Examples of indirect object: "hard by", "near”, "at”, "close”, "before one”, "in the presence of”, with verbs denoting motion towards a place "upon", "against”, with a notion of clinging closely "clasped to”, to express close engagement "at the point of”, to express union or addition "besides", "in addition to”.
ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc) "You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you”. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.
μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no”. The negative, μή, rejects, is relative, and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action: thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care”. The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest”. The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except”. Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. With the verb "to be”, the sense is "doesn't seem”. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have”, the sense is "lacks" or "wants”.
δύνωνται, [61 verses] (verb aor inf act) "Can" is the verb, dynamai, which means "to have power by virtue of your own capabilities”, "to be able” and "to be strong enough”.
μηδὲ [24 verses] (partic) "Neither" is mede, which means "however, not", "but not”, "nor” and "not”. The negative is the one used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no". It is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests, used with subjunctive verbs plus the conjunction usually translated as "but”. For other verbs, the sense is rejecting something, not that it isn't done. At the beginning of a sentence, always introduces an additional negation, after some negative idea has already been expressed or implied. As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions or "rejecting...and rejecting”.
ἐκεῖθεν [6 verses](adv) "From that place" is from ekeithen, which means "from that place", "thence", "from that fact” and "thenceforward”.
πρὸς [92 verses](prep) "Unto" is from pros, which means both "from" (descent, a place), "on the side of” and "toward”. Its meaning depends on the form of its object. An indirect object (dative) implies no movement but in a fixed position. A direct object (accusative ) indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement. Events may show the amount of time. In statements about time, it means "at", "near”, "about” or "for" a future time. With verbs of motion, “towards”, “to”, with verbs implying previous motion, “upon”, ‘against”; verbs of addition "to”, verbs of seeing "towards”, "to face”, in hostile sense, "against”, "in accusation", without any hostile "to”, of various kinds of intercourse or reciprocal action "with”, "at the hands of”, "incurred by”, "inspired by”, "before" a witness, of Time, "towards” or "near”. of Relation between two objects "in respect of”, "touching”, "in reference to”, "in consequence of”, "for a purpose”, "in proportion”, "in comparison with”, of measurements of time "for”, "a little past”, of Numbers "up to”, "about”. A possessive object (genitive) indicates movement away or a position away from something, "from", "towards”, "from the presence of". Events occur within a specified time. Examples of indirect object: "hard by”, "near”, "at”, "close”, "before one”, "in the presence of”, with verbs denoting motion towards a place "upon", "against”, with a notion of clinging closely "clasped to”, to express close engagement "at the point of”, to express union or addition "besides”. "in addition to”.
ἡμᾶς [7 verse](pron 1st pl masc/fem acc) "Us" is hemas, which is "us”, the 1st person, plural, accusative pronoun.
διαπερῶσιν. [1 verse](verb 3rd pl pres ind act ) "They pass" is diaperaō, which means to "go over”, "go across”, "pass through”, "pierce”, "traverse”, "reach” and "arrive at a place”.