Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 16:26

"And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us." — Luke 16:26 (ASV)

By calling the rich man “son” (cf. 15:31), Abraham conveys something of the compassion God himself shows even to those who spurn him. In a masterly summary Jesus contrasts the previous states of the rich man and Lazarus with the “now” and “here” of their situations after death. Verse 26 shows the utter and unchangeable finality of their decision.