Usually when He is telling one, it starts by saying "And he spake unto them a parable saying......." But not in Luke 16.
2007-08-22 07:21:28 · 13 answers · asked by Gilligan 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Luke 15:3 Jesus starts with a parable (of the prodigal son)..and after reading the passage, it looks like he is just continuing with his teachings...so he probably felt it unnecessary to denote that this was also a parable.
2007-08-22 07:31:32 · answer #1 · answered by Nicole B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same way that we know the one at Luke 10:23 (about the Good Samaritan) is a parable. Jesus doesn't specifically state that it is a parable here either.
You used the word "usually." Good word. Sometimes Jesus specified, sometimes he didn't. Interestingly, at Luke 12:41, Peter asked Jesus if the parable he had just given was for everyone. But Jesus had not stated that it was a parable.
Now if this is literal and not a parable, it begs a few questions: the rich man went to hell and was tormented, right? Why? Because he was rich? There's nothing inherently wicked about being rich. But clearly, according to the teaching of many, hell is a place where God agonizingly punishes the wicked.
Lazarus got to go to heaven. Why? Because he was poor? There's nothing inherently righteous about being poor. The rich man asks for a drop of water. That's going to cool his agonizing thirst? It won't evaporate in a nanosecond? Lazarus is spoken of as lying in Abraham's bosom. How? Abraham didn't go to heaven. In fact, according to Jesus, nobody had ascended to heaven. Compare John 3:13.
No, it's an illustration and an indication of its real meaning can be found at Luke 16:14-18. Notice the attitude of the Pharisees. Moreover, take a look at verse 18: ever wonder why this particular scripture is sandwiched in between verses 17 and 19? Seemingly there is no connection. Ah, but there is. And it all has to do with the meaning of the illustration.
Hannah J Paul
2007-08-22 14:28:29 · answer #2 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, some theologians think this is not a parable but a real story. It's the only "parable" where Jesus uses names. The details in the story are also an indicator that it's not a parable.
2007-08-22 14:26:53 · answer #3 · answered by Gui 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Also, in most parables, there are no names given. I suspect this was a real event Jesus tells about. Note also that the rich man, a denizen of Hell, never gets named, possibly to protect his living family members.
2007-08-22 14:33:10 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think these parables were a little bit different than other ones. Jesus made his point to the evil men sneering at him, and he explained everything usually at the end. You're right. It's a little bit differnent but these I think Jesus used to speak to the men who hated him and to make his point. I'm not sure though.
2007-08-22 14:30:57 · answer #5 · answered by pup 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is NOT a parable, names are not given in parables... That is an account of an actual event....Hell exists... and Paradise, which was for those saved prior to the Sacrifice of Christ Jesus, did as well... but... paradise is out of business.. all those waiting there were taken to Heaven by Christ when He left His mortal body on The Cross.
2007-08-22 14:29:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually, he did say if thinggs were parables, or not.
Ususally.
Not always.
This is one of a few instances where he did not.
Although, the context shows its impossible to be a real situation.
It would mean those in hell can talk with those in heaven.
God hears the supposed crackling fire all day long?
And the screams?
2007-08-22 14:29:00 · answer #7 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who says it is a parable, Jesus spoke in parables but didn't always say "I'm speaking in parables".
2007-08-22 14:29:41 · answer #8 · answered by sassinya 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe it was not a parrable but I think we can presume it was, he was pointing to the fact even when he came back from the dead not every one would believe in him.
The Rich Man and Lazarus
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.' "
2007-08-22 14:34:41 · answer #9 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. It makes you wonder what other gospel stories people take as true, were originally parables - like perhaps all of them.
2007-08-22 14:27:47 · answer #10 · answered by wondermus 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋