The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
A rich man lives in luxury while a beggar named Lazarus suffers at his gate. After death, Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom while the rich man suffers — warning about the eternal consequences of indifference.
A rich man lives in luxury while a beggar named Lazarus suffers at his gate. After death, Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom while the rich man suffers — warning about the eternal consequences of indifference.
"Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." — Luke 16:25 (KJV)
"Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."Luke 16:25 — Read in Context
Historical & Cultural Context
The rich man's daily attire of purple (Tyrian purple from murex snails, extremely expensive) and fine linen (Egyptian byssus) indicated extraordinary wealth. Lazarus lay at his gate desiring the crumbs that fell from the table — wealthy diners used bread as napkins, wiping their hands and tossing the bread under the table. Dogs licking his sores were street dogs, making Lazarus ceremonially unclean. Abraham's bosom was the Jewish term for the place of blessing after death.
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
Directed at the Pharisees, whom Luke describes as 'lovers of money' who 'derided' Jesus. The story reversed their theology of prosperity: wealth was no sign of God's favor, and poverty was no sign of His judgment. The Pharisees believed the rich were blessed and the poor were cursed — Jesus shattered this assumption.
Key Symbols and Their Meanings
The Rich Man
Those who enjoy God's material blessings but ignore the suffering at their doorstep — wealth without compassion.
Lazarus
The suffering poor who trust God despite receiving nothing in this life — his name means 'God is my help.'
The Great Gulf
The permanent, unbridgeable divide between heaven and hell after death — choices made in life are final.
Moses and the Prophets
Scripture — sufficient revelation for salvation. If people won't believe God's written Word, even a resurrection won't convince them.
What Does The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Mean?
A rich man dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. At his gate lay Lazarus, a beggar covered in sores, longing for crumbs from the rich man's table. Both died. Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom; the rich man went to Hades, where he suffered torment. He begged Abraham to send Lazarus with water, but was told a great gulf was fixed between them. He then asked to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers. Abraham replied: 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them... If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.'
Applying This Parable Today
This parable is a stark warning about the eternal consequences of ignoring human suffering and ignoring God's Word. The rich man's sin wasn't being wealthy — it was stepping over Lazarus daily without compassion. The great reversal after death shows that God's values are dramatically different from the world's. And the ending is prophetic: even Jesus' resurrection wouldn't convince those who refuse to heed Scripture.
Related Scripture References
Amos 6:1-4
"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion... That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches."Read in context
Proverbs 21:13
"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard."Read in context
Related Teachings
Beatitudes and Commandments connected to this parable:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rich Man and Lazarus a literal account or a parable?
Scholars debate this. Some argue it's literal because Jesus names Lazarus (unique among parables). Others see it as a parable using common Jewish imagery of the afterlife. Either way, the teaching is clear: how we respond to those in need has eternal consequences, and Scripture provides sufficient warning.
What was the rich man's sin?
The rich man's sin was not wealth itself but callous indifference to Lazarus' suffering at his very gate. He lived in luxury while ignoring extreme need within his reach. His sin was the failure of compassion.
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