The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

[face2face]

Before we begin this section of Scripture its worth considering the Masters teaching (intended audience) leading up to this record.

It's really important we see the sequence of thoughts leading up to this complex parable from Luke 15 - 16. The intended audience was clearly and squarely aimed at the Pharisees (a consistent rebuke):

Luke 15:1-2 Parables arose because of Jesus’ associations with publicans and sinners
Luke15:28 Churlish eldest son refuses to feast with repentant brother
Luke16:1 Unjust steward wastes his Lord’s goods
Luke16:4-7 Unfaithfully writes down debts owed to his Lord
Luke16:14 Parable applied to Pharisees as “lovers of money”
Luke16:19 Parable of rich man and Lazarus, consequences of their actions

Further to this, the Parable of the Rich man & Lazarus is based upon the Pharisees own false teachings, and as we shall see, the Master revealed with great skill how they would be condemned by their own parable!

Possibly one of the most cleverly crafted parables in all the Gospel record.

The Bible reader must accept two facts before starting this study:

1. It's a parable that uses real names
2. It's a rebuke of the Pharisees

Warning: this parable contains extreme symbolism and highly figurative language - care is required!

So lets begin.

 

[face2face]

Before we get in we immediately see similarity with a recent parable.

Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who dressed in purple...."

Compare

Luke 16:1 “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations..."

Its the same opening to the unjust steward in Luke 16:1, which we know is addressed to the Pharisees as “lovers of money” 16:4 (Grk).

Luke 16:14 The Pharisees (who loved money) heard all this and ridiculed him (Jesus).

So before we begin, the evidence for points 1 & 2 are clearly established:

1. its a parable and 2. its going to be a major rebuke to the Pharisees and all those who love money.

We are being asked, what will be the end result of this for the Pharisees who reject their Messiah and Gods Son?

First Lesson: You cannot serve God and money!

 

[face2face]

"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

So the parable starts with a rich man wearing purple clothing so the imagery immediately takes our minds to the priestly garments in Exodus 28:2,5:

Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen.

The Parable scene is set with the Religious elite firmly in focus.

It also contains an echo of the Apostate Church in Revelation 18:12,16 (parables can have present day applications)



Notice the sting in Christ's comment regarding them feasting "everyday"...what do you think he was referring to?

 

[David in NJ]

Before we begin this section of Scripture its worth considering the Masters teaching (intended audience) leading up to this record.

It's really important we see the sequence of thoughts leading up to this complex parable from Luke 15 - 16. The intended audience was clearly and squarely aimed at the Pharisees (a consistent rebuke):

Luke 15:1-2 Parables arose because of Jesus’ associations with publicans and sinners
Luke15:28 Churlish eldest son refuses to feast with repentant brother
Luke16:1 Unjust steward wastes his Lord’s goods
Luke16:4-7 Unfaithfully writes down debts owed to his Lord
Luke16:14 Parable applied to Pharisees as “lovers of money”
Luke16:19 Parable of rich man and Lazarus, consequences of their actions

Further to this, the Parable of the Rich man & Lazarus is based upon the Pharisees own false teachings, and as we shall see, the Master revealed with great skill how they would be condemned by their own parable!

Possibly one of the most cleverly crafted parables in all the Gospel record.

The Bible reader must accept two facts before starting this study:

1. It's a parable that uses real names
2. It's a rebuke of the Pharisees

Warning: this parable contains extreme symbolism and highly figurative language - care is required!

So lets begin.

Let's first start with Luke 16 is not a parable.

Now we can SEE what Jesus said in Truth.

 

[face2face]

Let's first start with Luke 16 is not a parable.

Now we can SEE what Jesus said in Truth.

All Jesus's parables are truth right?
This Parable is no different and the evidence is clear as we shall find...give it time.

You never spoke to this

Parable = Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who dressed in purple...."
Compare
Parable = Luke 16:1 “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations..."

The Master is consistent if anything.

 

[face2face]

So the sting at the end of verse 19

"There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day."

The Pharisees “Fared sumptuously” – is the same word for “merry” and they did so everyday! Yes, even on the Sabbath!

So why the sting?

If you read below all is clear

God's Sabbath:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, Isa 58:6-7

So the Rich man in this parable is symbolic of the Religious elite, who held extravagant feasts, who were waited on at tables and schemed their business deals on days of rest.

The point is already made by the Lord - you should have denied yourselves these pleasures and shared with the poor.

It's one of the most cleverly design parables in all the Gospel.

F2F

 

[marks]

Before we begin this section of Scripture its worth considering the Masters teaching (intended audience) leading up to this record.

It's really important we see the sequence of thoughts leading up to this complex parable from Luke 15 - 16. The intended audience was clearly and squarely aimed at the Pharisees (a consistent rebuke):

Luke 15:1-2 Parables arose because of Jesus’ associations with publicans and sinners
Luke15:28 Churlish eldest son refuses to feast with repentant brother
Luke16:1 Unjust steward wastes his Lord’s goods
Luke16:4-7 Unfaithfully writes down debts owed to his Lord
Luke16:14 Parable applied to Pharisees as “lovers of money”
Luke16:19 Parable of rich man and Lazarus, consequences of their actions

Further to this, the Parable of the Rich man & Lazarus is based upon the Pharisees own false teachings, and as we shall see, the Master revealed with great skill how they would be condemned by their own parable!

Possibly one of the most cleverly crafted parables in all the Gospel record.

The Bible reader must accept two facts before starting this study:

1. It's a parable that uses real names
2. It's a rebuke of the Pharisees

Warning: this parable contains extreme symbolism and highly figurative language - care is required!

So lets begin.

What is your basis for calling this a parable, given that the Bible does not?

Much love!

 

[face2face]

What is your basis for calling this a parable, given that the Bible does not?

Much love!

It's subject matter (Pharisees) is contained in a build up of parables, which the Lord is dealing with as he gets closer to the issues at hand. You will see he begins his parable in the same way here:

Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who dressed in purple...."
Compare
Luke 16:1 “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations..."

You will also notice how the theme of the disgruntled eldest son, or unjust steward etc feature in all the proceeding parables however this one is very special Marks, this one is design solely with them in mind.

So the proceeding Parables all contain a gentle rebuke of the ruling class but now its not so gentle!

I've noticed, David could not speak to the evidence clearly stated, but rather opposes the facts for special pleading, this wont do!

Read/Study Luke 15 & 16 to watch the progression of thought the Master is using...it's there is you take your time.

More evidence will present as we go through the story!

F2F

 

[face2face]

A note to those who struggle to identify Luke 16:19 as a parable.

The story of the Rich man and Lazarus is a climax to a series of Parables that the Lord provided us in Luke 15 & 16. In all those parables there are lessons for everyone! For the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ & also for the Scribes and Pharisees who were his opponents.

Everyone got a lesson out of those Parables. There is however, through these Parables a continuous line of thinking which is directed against those Jewish leaders.

If you are not willing to enter the Lord's teachings, or see this continuous line of reasoning, you will struggle to understand the Masters thoughts in this parable. We can never cherry pick the Lord's teaching, or try to deal with them in isolation without understanding the strategy / intent of where he is leading his listeners.

In Luke 15 the Parables arose because Jesus associated with Publicans and sinners (CONTEXT).

That brought forth a series of Parables.

In the Parable of the “Prodigal Son” or the “Compassionate Father” we learn about that mean spirited elder son who would not feast with his repentant brother. This was clearly a reference to their criticism of the Lord being with the Publicans and sinners. The Lord was not defending himself, but was saying that they were not prepared to feast with the ones who were clearly repentant. The Lord went OUT to make people repent. Then he was prepared to sit down with people who were already repentant. That's the point that was being made about that mean spirited elder son!

Then the point came in Luke 16 that the unjust steward had WASTED his Lords goods. They would reflect upon the Prodigal Son who had done that and they would be critical of people who lived like that!

They were people who thought the WORLD of their possessions! They would consider the Publicans and sinners as “irresponsible”! But THEY had been GROSSLY irresponsible with matters far more valuable than money!

The Lord pointed out that that steward in Luke 16 had in fact DEVALUED the assets of his Lord in pursuit of seeking favour with the rich and influential. The Lord showed that was EXACTLY what the Scribes and Pharisees had done ESPECIALLY in respect to Marriage and Divorce!

This was clearly seen in the case of Philip and Herodias! It took a “John the Baptist” to raise his voice against that! But the Jews had “blinked” at that because it was in their favour and they had “devalued” God’s Law!

Jesus makes it clear in Luke16:14 that they were “lovers of money”. See the sequence of thought there. He associates with people who wanted to repent, and they would not ever associate with people who were obviously repentant! They had wasted their Lords goods and devalued men’s obligations to God because they were lovers of money!

So his parables were all about the CONSEQUENCES of people who put MONEY before God!!

Failure to accept these lessons from Luke 15 & 16 will only cause you to miss the meaning of this parable in view.

There is much more that can be said but we press on to Luke 16:20 to unpack the Parable and its meaning.

F2F

 

[face2face]

An interesting fact for the opposing readers in this thread:

Frequently the Pharisees were quicker to pick up the meaning of a parable than the disciples! (Not that they responded!)

Today, we have the opposite - Christians reject the true meaning of the parables for want of forcing their own interpretations on the Lord's words. Today Christians are more interested in the false teaching of the Pharisees; in spirits and demons and other fanciful notions, rather than getting behind his words and thoughts and grasping their true intent.

I am prepared for opposition in this thread; it's just a shame it distracts us from drawing closer to him who called us to be teachable at his feet.

F2F

 

[face2face]

Evidence for the above remark:

Matthew 21:45 “And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.​

Mark 12:12 “And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against

them: and they left him, and went their way.


Luke 20:19 “And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for

they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them

So, I'm hoping we can now press on with Luke 16:19 understanding that this is a parable designed especially for the Pharisees & Saducees, in a way that only they would understand!

F2F

 

[face2face]

@marks & @David in NJ shall we continue?

 

[marks]

@marks & @David in NJ shall we continue?

I was interested in your answer to my question, which you gave, and I thank you! We have different ways of understanding Scripture on this particular point, but I see no need to belabor it, as your interpretations seem pretty good.

What if it's not a parable? What if it was a real occurance? The application remains the same, however, there is more to learn beside, right?

Much love!

 

[marks]

So, I'm hoping we can now press on with Luke 16:19 understanding that this is a parable designed especially for the Pharisees & Saducees, in a way that only they would understand!

Or the High Priest himself, some have suggested.

If it was a parable, doesn't that mean it was meant to hide truth from those who didn't believe?

Much love!

 

[face2face]

I was interested in your answer to my question, which you gave, and I thank you! We have different ways of understanding Scripture on this particular point, but I see no need to belabor it, as your interpretations seem pretty good.

What if it's not a parable? What if it was a real occurance? The application remains the same, however, there is more to learn beside, right?

Much love!

Marks,
I think as we progress through the story it's essence will show us whether it could be a literal event or not, if not, the Parable takes on a far deeper meaning for all involved.
F2F

 

[face2face]

Or the High Priest himself, some have suggested.

If it was a parable, doesn't that mean it was meant to hide truth from those who didn't believe?

Much love!

Ah this is called "jumping the gun!" I think you will find the answer to your question will be revealed to you in verse 31.

 

[David in NJ]

All Jesus's parables are truth right?
This Parable is no different and the evidence is clear as we shall find...give it time.

You never spoke to this

Parable = Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who dressed in purple...."
Compare
Parable = Luke 16:1 “There was a rich man who was informed of accusations..."

The Master is consistent if anything.

It's not a parable.

 

[face2face]

It's not a parable.

Forgive me for questioning the profoundness of your response and your lack of engagement with the text / notes.
Maybe this study isn't for you?

 

[David in NJ]

Forgive me for questioning the profoundness of your response and your lack of engagement with the text / notes.
Maybe this study isn't for you?

Well, you are attempting to define a passage of scripture as a parable when it is not.

So maybe you should study a little more to see the difference between ch15 thru16:13 and 16:19-31

Parables are readily seen as such whereas direct statements from the Lord are matter of fact.

Discerning between the two takes study, prayer and more study, ie read, read, read some more.

 

[face2face]

Well, you are attempting to define a passage of scripture as a parable when it is not.

So maybe you should study a little more to see the difference between ch15 thru16:13 and 16:19-31

As shown in this thread, this Parable is the conclusion to all the parables contained in 15 & 16 . If you want to deal with the evidence already put forward by all means do so; but from my perspective all you have put forward is ????

So lets continue with this Parable study shall we?