Our studies have been looking at truths found in enormous lessons found in small parables. This series examines some of the lesser-known parables of Jesus. The parable of focus today contains an enormous amount of controversy. Many theologians debate whether or not the story is even a parable. The story helps us understand what are the real riches in life, while giving us a moment’s glimpse at the afterlife. You can find the parable in the gospel of Luke.
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 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.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Luke 16:19-31 | Different Versions
| NASB
Luke 16:19-31 NASB |
ESV
Luke 16:19-31 ESV |
NIV
Luke 16:19-31 NIV |
HCSB
Luke 16:19-31 HCSB |
NKJV
Luke 16:19-31 NKJV |
| NRSV
Luke 16:19-31 NRSV |
MESSAGE
Lk 16:19-31 MESSAGE |
NCV
Luke 16:19-31 NCV |
KJV
Luke 16:19-31 KJV |
NLT
Luke 16:19-31 NLT |
| GOD’S WORD | GOOD NEWS | NET | GREEK NT | SPANISH – REINA |
This story is different from the other parables taught by our Savior. In similar teachings, the characters remain nameless. Why would Jesus be so specific in this tale? Some speculate that it was not a hypothetical story, but was an actual, true event. Others suggest the individuals were known by the listeners. Of course, Jesus would have supreme knowledge, so either explanation might be possible.
But the immediate setting again spotlights a conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees. An earlier parable told the story of a rich man and manager who was squandering resources. Just two verses earlier, Luke provides the note that the Pharisees were present and were scoffing at the teachings of Jesus. Luke adds a commentary that the Pharisees were lovers of money (Luke 16:14 NIV).
By any standard of the Mediterranean culture, the rich man was “joyously living in splendor” (Luke 16:19 NASB). Out of habit, he dressed in purple, a product of fine linen. Purple clothes were the clothes of royalty, nobility and high social status. Purple was extremely expensive. The color was extracted from the murex shellfish, only found in portions of the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
My speculation of why the name of Lazarus is mentioned is to show that the rich man knew the poor man by name. Notice the circumstances. Lazarus is outside the gates of the rich man’s home. The beggar dreams that he can have food from the rich man’s table. Perhaps pillaging through the garbage of the rich man had provided Lazarus with occasional nourishment in the past.
The Rest of the Story
Our image of crumbs falling from the table is powerful, but it doesn’t present the magnitude of what Jesus is teaching. Bread was common and plentiful in Jesus’ day. Grain dropped in the field during harvest was to be left on the ground to be shared by the poor (Leviticus 19:9-10). Each day the rich man enjoyed luxurious and scrumptious meals. Jesus says he had the splendor of a feast every day. The custom of the time was for the mouth to be wiped with a slice of bread – the equivalent of a table napkin (compare Matthew 15:26). As the mouth was wiped, crumbs would float to the floor.
But the image doesn’t stop there. Lazarus longed for less than leftovers.
Real Riches
The lesson in the story seems to point to understanding real riches. The strong opinion of the Pharisees – and to a degree us today – contends that material things on this earth are an indication of the blessings of God. The story shows that material blessings on earth are no indication of the eternal outcome.
There are several important lessons nestled into this teaching about real riches. Jesus continually emphasized the need to care for the poor (Luke 6:20-21, Luke 4:16-19, Matthew 25:34-36, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 14:12-14). The rich man was not condemned because of his riches. His problem was what was important to him and what he did to help the poor.
Many times we dismiss seeing the poor because we do not know them. They become a generic problem that easily can be overlooked. But in this story, the rich man knew Lazarus by name. Even in the afterlife, the rich man petitioned Abraham to send Lazarus to serve him and lessen his torture (Luke 16:24 NIV). Even in punishment, the rich man expected service and preferential treatment.
What’s in a Name?
From very early on, the parable was labeled “The Parable of Dives and Lazarus.” In actuality this is not a name, but simply the Latin word for “rich man.” The word was used in the Vulgate, the Bible translated into Latin. Although the Vulgate was officially translated by Jerome in AD382 commissioned by Pope Damasus, portions of the Scriptures in Latin were circulating in the second century. All we know of the rich man is that he appears to have had more money than he knew what to do with. We are not told of any evil or immoral ways that he amassed the wealth. Interestingly, the word feasted (Luke 16: is the same word used in the story of the prodigal son in the previous chapter (Luke 15:23, Luke 15:32).
The name Lazarus is from the Hebrew “Eleazar” which literally means “God helps.” The name itself seems to be significant. It appears that man did nothing to help poor Lazarus. God himself rights the wrongs, even though the justice may not occur in this lifetime. When Lazarus died, the angels came and “carried him to Abraham’s side” (Luke 16:22). The translations of the King James and New King James Bibles better complete the imagery by saying he was carried “to Abraham’s bosom.” The picture continues the image of the feast. Lazarus is not begging for crumbs at this table, but he is the honored guest. Remember John’s position at the table of the Last Supper (John 13:23 NIV, John 13:23 NKJV)?
Surprising Details about Real Riches in the Afterlife
There are a handful of surprising truths learned about the afterlife in this parable. Our Mediterranean Moments will consider those in more detail. Remember, eternity is not the point of the parable, but only provides a part of the setting. The purpose of the parable focuses on what we do with our riches, and upon the ultimate justice of God. Speaking to the perspective of the Pharisees, Jesus teaches that material things are not real riches, and do not indicate necessarily that God is blessing the individual.
One surprising feature provides the conclusion of our thoughts on this parable. Abraham tells the rich man at the end of the story that people don’t listen to Moses and the Prophets (the Scriptures) and will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. His comments were true in the first century and are just as valid today. Many have completely dismissed the notion of an actual resurrection by Jesus.
Don’t feel sorry for the rich man. Instead be impassioned to make sure no one else joins him.