Do you understand the parable?

Question

Of Lazarus and the rich man? From Luke 16.19-31.

This is one of the most misinterpreted parables. What's your take on this one?

I would love to see what a non-believer gets from this, compared to what christians are "taught" about it.

Answer 1

It is not a "true story" it is a parable or teaching story. It takes quite a stretch and a lot of misunderstanding of scriptures and scripture twisting to come up with the concept that this is anything but a parable. A bit different style than some of the other parables, yes, but nevertheless it is a parable.

There are several levels of meaning and warning that Christ was trying to get across in this parable.
The basic one, the summation or moral, is in v:31, that we need to increase our understanding of and obey Moses and the Prophets (Torah and Tanakh) , that the conventional Jewish undersanding of these things in His day were flawed to the point that the Jews were not living as specified by the Torah.

While I have always focused just on the moral (v:31), I will take a stab at breaking it down further:

Luke 16: 19 Now there was a certain man of great wealth, who was dressed in fair clothing of purple and delicate linen, and was shining and glad every day.

This could symbolise Israel. When they were taken from Egypt they were given the Laws or The Almighty (great wealth) and promised physical blessings for their obedience (fair clothing and fine linen)

20 And a certain poor man, named Lazarus, was stretched out at his door, full of wounds,

This could symbolise all the nations outside of Israel whom God was not working with, there were individuals in these gentile nations that desired to know God ("God-Fearers") but the way was not open to them.

21 Desiring the broken bits of food which came from the table of the man of wealth; and even the dogs came and put their tongues on his wounds.

This could symbolise the "God fearers" like Cornelius, who were restricted to the court of the gentiles in the Temple, but gathered to hear God's word preached.

22 And in time the poor man came to his end, and angels took him to Abraham’s breast. And the man of wealth came to his end, and was put in the earth.

Both of these men died and were put in thier graves. Now, there is no instantaneous transit upon death to heaven or hell. Humans die and go to thier graves to await a resurrection, so the parable does not show how much time elaspes between v:22 & 23. But, being in a place of torment and in pain because of the great heat would signify the judgement as already taken place and the rich man is in the lake of fire meeting his final end (second death).

23 And in hell, being in great pain, lifting up his eyes he saw Abraham, far away, and Lazarus on his breast. 24 And he gave a cry and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may put the end of his finger in water and put it on my tongue, for I am cruelly burning in this flame.

Now he wants help and is still treating Lazarus like he is an inferior being who needs to wait on him and take care of his needs. Again, it is possible that this refers to the attitudes of the Jewish leadership of Yeshua's day.

25 But Abraham said, Keep in mind, my son, that when you were living, you had your good things, while Lazarus had evil things: but now, he is comforted and you are in pain.

Israel had the Law and the covenants and the blessings that came from being the people of God.

26 And in addition, there is a deep division fixed between us and you, so that those who might go from here to you are not able to do so, and no one may come from you to us.

The great gulf is because of the final judgement. God will not relent after that judgement and the wicked will perish.

27 And he said, Father, it is my request that you will send him to my father’s house; 28 For I have five brothers; and let him give them an account of these things, so that they may not come to this place of pain.

NOW he wants to repent! And save his brethern, but it is too late.

29 But Abraham said, They have Moses and the prophets; let them give ear to what they say.

Something all professing Christians need to take to heart! What do the Law and Prophets say about how we are to live?

30 And he said, No, father Abraham, but if someone went to them from the dead, their hearts would be changed.

the man still doesn't get it! The man is perishing in the lake of fire and he now wants a miricle so that his brethern can avoid his fate.

31 And he said to him, If they will not give attention to Moses and the prophets, they will not be moved even if someone comes back from the dead.

This is the state of both Rabbinical Judaism and Conventional Christianity today, they refuse to hear Moses and the Prophets. The Jews because they have built fences around the Law with the Talmud and Midrash concepts, and their rejection of Yeshua the Messiah. The Christians becuase they erroneously claim that the grace from Yeshua and the writings of Paul abolished the Law.

From Genesis to Revelations the message of God is the same, and very few heed it:

Eccelesastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Answer 2

This CANNOT be properly established AS A PARABLE. That would indicate that it may be FACTUAL rather than a parable. Luke often introduces parables like "Then Jesus told them this parable:" in 15:3. There is no such "introduction" here. The last introductory statement from Luke was in 16:14 "The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them..."

It fits contextually to consider this a continuation of Jesus' teaching to Pharisees. In that case, it doesn't matter if it is a parable or a true representation of afterlife.

In the passage we learn of 2 different states in "hades," the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Sheol meaning the grave or generally, the realm of the dead. We see a contrast of comfort and torment depending on ones life on earth. -- Though some English versions mistranslate them, this is NOT the same as "hell" or "Gehenna" from the original languages which is strictly a place of punishment.

We also learn that no one can travel between the 2 states or return from either to the earth.

Answer 3

I know that 2 cents aint worth what it use to be, but here are mine.

All other parables Christ are ones that a) have no names mentioned in them except for God and b) they are using illustrations to describe heaven and God's ways to us in finite terms.

Really, this "parable" does not fit into either catagory. It has names - Lazarus and Abraham - and it si not describing the Kingdom of Heaven by using every day terms and items. What it does do is describe Sheol - the Jewish resting place after death. In Greek, Sheol is called Hades. This is allowing us to see through the veil and know that there are rewards and punishments depending on how we live our life here.

I pray this helps.

Answer 4

The opposite of Lazarus, the rich man, though outwardly rich is impoverished internally, spiritually, i.e., spiritually dead. In fact, he is so dead that he cannot recognize the returned spirit of Abraham or Moses in Christ, even though that is what his heart most desires. The rich man could correspond to the "chosen" Jews, who failed to recognize the Spirit of Abraham and Moses in Christ even though the Messiah is what they most want and anticipate. Both the rich man and the Jews have focused on the outward meaning of the sacred scriptures which has blinded them to the inward meaning. Is there a lesson in there for today for both Jews and Christians and anyone else who sees only the outward denotative meaning of the words instead of the inward reality?

Answer 5

I can only give you my understanding of it whether it is totally correct or not... It doesn't matter how much money you have or don't have, It is how you treat people. I believe it also relates to when Jesus says When you saw me hungry you did not feed me. That by feeding the poor we are doing right unto Him. Just because of your standing on earth does not mean it will be your standing in Heaven. and that if someone is not going to believe that the dead could rise and it would make no difference in that persons belief. That is the best I know. Oh and God always takes care of His.

Answer 6

God's word is out there for everyone to read and take into his/her heart.

If you're late catching the train and it leaves the station, there won't be a second one coming down the line. So do what you can to climb aboard now. And enjoy the ride. The view is spectacular.

Answer 7

You only get one shot at salvation while in this life......one chance to say "yes" to Christ

You will NOT get another one after death

(See Hebrews 9:27)

There is a huge gap (or gulf) between heaven & hell. And that gap cannot be bridged on the other side.....it HAS to be bridged by faith & trust in the Lord Jesus Christ

Answer 8

This story is NOT a parable.

First of all--parables use symbols. (wheat, tares, seed, etc.--everyday objects--not actual names of people and places )

What is the flame symbolic of?

Who is Lazarus symbolic of?

What is Abraham's bosom symbolic of?

These are not symbols of anything--it is Jesus telling the actual story of hell and heaven as a warning to those who are rich in this world and evil to those who are poor.

Very simple.

Answer 9

One thing I get from it is this. No matter how much evidence is laid in front of you, if you choose not to believe, nothing will convince you.

Answer 10

The earlier answers pretty much cover it. One thing one needs to remember though;"There's no crumbs from
Gods table -- you must eat the whole meal".