Can anyone explain to me Luke 16?

Question

I am after verses 19-31. Is this a parable os is it real cause of the names mentioned in it?

Answer 1

It is POSSIBLE that it is a parable, but even if it is, it should still be taken literally because:

1. as you said, Jesus mentions specific names, something he NEVER does in any other parable

2. Jesus always uses real life examples of situations and scenarios his listeners would know and be able to relate to (check the other parables). Therefore, Hades and Abrahams bossom must be real places.

Answer 2

No, no, no. Jesus himself said "in Parable only he spoke" (Matthew 13:34) so NO, it is NOT real. It is an ILLUSTRATION of a story. He used people we would recognize so that we could relate to it in some way. This IN NO way infers a literal burning HELL. In fact, in Revelation 20:14,15 it says "And death and Hades were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. 15 Furthermore whoever was not found written in the book of like was hurled into the lake of fire."

The 2nd death is noted by God as being ETERNAL DEATH, the Lake of Fire, where EVERYTHING, EVEN DEATH AND HELL, are destroyed forever. So, it will simply be as before your birth, no existance at all, none. What more worse punishment could there be? Ananias & Sapphira both died the 2nd death for lying to the Holy Spirit in Acts 5.

Also, at (Col. 1:18) says Jesus was the FIRST to be resurrected to HEAVEN so HOW could Abraham be there waiting on Lazarus? unless it WAS a parable.

Answer 3

This appears to be another version of the story of Lazarus as found in the gospel of John. The fact that it has been converted into a parable, suggests to me, it may have always been a parable from Jesus' lips to your heart. The resurrection of the flesh is a nice "trick" but aren't we, as Christians really more interested in the resurrection of our spirits, the transformation of our evil natures into Christ-like purity? What is the life of the flesh that passes away compared to the life eternal with the Father in His heaven?

Answer 4

I see it as a parable, mostly because it is a lesson. Jesus, as far as I know, never spoke in such detail about true examples of communication between Heaven, Hell, and Earth, even though that would obviously have been of great interest to His followers. But we know He made it His practice to teach in parables, and it seems to me His parables were usually set up and related in much the same style and manner as this story.

Answer 5

IT IS A PARABLE!!! The fact that a name is mentioned is not an indication that it is a parable or a story. Examinie Luke 15 and 16. Jesus is telling a series of parables.

Also, keep in mind, Jesus did not speak in public without parables.

You SHOULD NOT take a parable literally!!! If you do, there will be serious problems that you would need to explain biblically.

Matthew 13:10  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Answer 6

it was probably an actual event described....the description given by Jesus to convey how things are in the spiritual dimension is probably metaphor to a degree but only to the degree that what was said IS true but what we percieve that He said may not be the same picture of what actually exists there....a parable, but also an actual event...it is not of high importance imo either way and verse 31 is the profound revelation that we as Christians should realize that those that seek proof or a sign will never be convinced...all the information is known already by most of the world anyway...its only if their heart softens and turns to God and God draws them that they will be saved.

Answer 7

Clearly, it is an allegory where the rich man represents the Jewish nation and the poor man represents the gentiles. Here is a web site to an article that explains Luke 16.

http://www.amazingfacts.org/items/Read_Media.asp?ID=643&x=18&y=15

Answer 8

It is the general assumption by minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ that these were real men. This is an important lesson to learn from. First, the rich man is asking Lazarus to send him a cool drop of water. Lazarus says that he cannot because there is a great gulf that separates heaven and hell. Next, the rich man wants Lazarus to warn the rich man's brothers of the consequences of their actions, that a life devoted to riches will land them in hell. Lazarus tells him that if they will not listen to such anointed people as Moses and the prophets,then they will not listen to him. If a person will not listen to God's word, then why should he listen to God's messenger raised from the dead? Jesus is directing this towards the Pharisees, who spoke the law, but did not observe it. Jesus is attacking their false piety and their reluctance to heed his words.

Answer 9

Not sure what you want to know but will explain to best I can.It shows a picture of a man going to paradise and one rich man going to hell. I do not think this is a parable cause of the names used in it.

Answer 10

Every time Jesus told a parable he said "this a parable"