THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS

Lazarus by the gate The

Rich man

New Life Publishing3430 Brainerd rd. Chattanooga,Tn. 37411

Pastor Mike PalevoCopyright © 2010 all rights reserved

Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. Luk 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luk 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, 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. Luk 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Luk 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Luk 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Luk 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Luk 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Mark 4:33-3433 And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

We will begin to properly diagnose this Parable set forth by Jesus. It will show the full meaning and understanding of the Scripture. Common theology has a different understanding of this parable, but we will see for ourselves that it is indeed different from what most of us have been taught.

Why did He

speak in

Parables???Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Mat 13:11 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.

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

They Understood

Who were the parables

directed to??

There are three major questions that need to be addressed in this parable to be able to rightly divide the Word.

3. WHO IS THE RICH MAN?

2.WHO IS LAZARUS?

1.WHO IS ABRAHAM?

If we can correctly find out who these three are Biblically, then the interpretation of this parable will be much, much clearer to us.

In order for us to understand these three people, we must once again go to the Old Covenant for the foundation in the New.

Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared

sumptuously every day:

Who does the Rich Man represent?

Ex 39:27-2927 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

NT:2988 lampros (lam-proce'); adverb from NT:2986; brilliantly, i.e. figuratively, luxuriously: sumptuously.

NT:2985 lampas (lam-pas'); from NT:2989; a "lamp" or flambeau: KJV - lamp, light, torch.

The rich man may well portray the Jewish leaders and their nation. Being clothed in the purple of royalty and fine linen of the priesthood, they fared sumptuously on spiritual advantages.

The Priesthood

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father.

The Rich Man cont.

Luke 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,…

Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham

Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham

to our father:…

John 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, …

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: …

Acts 7:2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham

Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as…

Rom. 4:12, James 2:21 So far, it is obvious these reference the Jews!

1) Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son

The Rich Man cont.

Abraham calls this man His son!!

2) Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's

house: John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's

house an house of merchandise.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to

prepare a place for you.These references are toward the Temple in

Jerusalem, and pertains to the Jews!

Luk 16:28 For I have five brethren;

The Rich Man cont.

1Ch 2:4 And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah were five.

In Genesis 35:22,23 we read a rather obscure genealogical statement that helps us in this investigation: "...the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, then Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun." Evidently, Jacob had twelve sons, of which six were born by Leah. Judah therefore had five brothers, a well-known fact among the Jews, confirmed again by Leah’s own statement in Genesis 30:

Quite clearly therefore, the rich man with five brothers described in the parable is none other than Judah, to whom (generally speaking) the priesthood, the Law and the Prophets were entrusted, so being a poor steward seems to be the fault of the rich man.

Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

Other major indicators of the Rich man:

John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Luke 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's

house:

The Jews were made rich because they were given all these things Daily as benefits,

enrichments, and an inheritance second to none, by God.

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son,…

Abraham calls this man His son!!Luk 16:25 Son - This is a representation designed to correspond with the word “father.” He was a descendant of Abraham a Jew - and Abraham is represented as calling this thing to his remembrance. It would not lessen his sorrows to remember that he was a “son” of Abraham, and that he ought to have lived worthy of that relation to him. Barnes NotesLuk 16:25 But Abraham said, son,.... He calls him "son", not in a spiritual sense; he was not one of Abraham's spiritual seed, that trod in the steps of his faith; but because he was so according to the flesh; and in return to his calling him father: good men have not always good children, nor is any trust to be put in birth and parentage: John Gill

Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Luk 16:29 They have Moses and the prophets - This plainly supposes they were all Jewish believers: they had these writings in their hands, but they did not permit them to influence their lives. Adam Clarkethey have Moses and the prophets; that is, their writings; which shows this man, and his five brethren, to be Jews; for to them were the oracles of God committed; and these had the writings of Moses and the prophets read to them every sabbath day; and is true, whether the contemporaries and immediate successors of the Pharisees are meant, or the ten tribes: and also shows, that one view of the parable, is to establish the authority of these writings; see Luk_16:16 and that it is a peculiar privilege to have them; and that they ought to be attended to and regarded; John GillRom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; The statement ‘Moses and the Prophets’ singles out one pecular people. The Jews! The Priesthood! The Elders! The Counsel! The Sanhedrin! The Pharisees! Etc. And these two things show the sufficiency and perfection of the sacred writings. What influence could the personal appearance of a spirit have on an unbelieving and corrupted heart? None, except to terrify it for the moment, and afterwards to leave it ten thousand reasons for uncertainty and doubt. Christ caused this to be exemplified, in the most literal manner, by raising Lazarus from the dead. And did this convince the unbelieving Jews? No. They were so much the more enraged; and from that moment conspired both the death of Lazarus and of Christ! Adam Clarke

The rich man in this parable

represents the Jewish nation,

the house of Judah, and

particularly their leaders who

embody and personify the spirit

and character of the nation.

This name is derived from the Greek "Lazaros," and the Hebrew "Eleazar."

Who is Lazarus & Abraham?What is their connection

together?

As John Lightfoot rightly observes, Lazarus is an allusion to Abraham’s servant: "But perhaps there may be something more aimed at in the name: for since the discourse is concerning Abraham and Lazarus, who would not call to mind Abraham and Eliezer his servant, one born at Damascus, a Gentile by birth, and sometime in posse [in potential] the heir of Abraham; but shut out of the inheritance by the birth of Isaac, yet restored here into Abraham’s bosom?" (John Lightfoot, Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica, Volume 3, page 166)

Even the famed Rabbi Geiger Abraham suggested that the Lazarus of the parable in Luke 16 represented Abraham’s servant Eleazar (Geiger, Jüd. Zeitschr. 1868, p. 196 sq.) There was indeed a cultural and national awareness about Abraham’s servant, as Eleazar is being presented at the entrance of Abraham’s sepulcher, the cave of Machpelah. According to Gemarists, "R. Baanah painted the sepulchers: when he came to Abraham’s cave, he found Eliazar standing at the mouth of it. He said unto him, ‘What is Abraham doing?’ To whom he said, ‘He lieth in the embraces of Sarah.’ Then said Baanah, ‘Go and tell him that Baanah is at the door.’" (John Lightfoot, Commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica, Volume 3, page 166) Evidently, Eliazar, a Gentile born in Damascus was thought of as a very close servant and friend of Abraham.Gen 15:2-32 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

The connection to these two, Lazarus & Abraham is out of Genesis 15. Lazarus representing the Gentiles here. The relationship here is that the Gentiles would receive the Kingdom instead of the Jews. Not replacement Theology as some believe, but inclusion Theology.

Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a NATION bringing

forth the fruits thereof.

The Kingdom shall be taken from who? (The Jews. And given to who? Gentiles

G1484 εθνος Ethnos eth'-nos Probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Lazarus Canaanite womanLuk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Mat 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Rich ManCrumbsFellFedOff the TableDogsSores healed

MasterCrumbsFallEatOff the TableDogsDaughter healed

To all other nations they were accustomed to apply terms of contempt, of which dogs was the most common. The Muslims still apply the term “dogs” to Christians, and Christians and Jews to each other. Albert Barnes

…and dispossessing them of devils: and by "the dogs" are designed the Gentiles, so called by the Jews in a way of contempt, because of their ignorance, idolatry, and impurity… John Gill

…In which may be clearly discerned the distinction between children and dogs, and the application of the one to the Jews, and the other to the Gentiles, and the different food that belongs to each: and hence it is easy to see from whom Christ borrowed this expression, and with what view he made use of it. John Gill

From Wikipedia Bosom of Abrahama, the free encyclopedia   The Bosom of Abraham, The phrase "Bosom of Abraham" refers to the place of comfort in sheol (Greek: hades) where the Jews said the righteous dead awaited Judgment Day. The phrase "Bosom of Abraham" occurs in the Bible only in the New Testament in Luke 16:22-23 in Jesus' story

The word found in the Greek text for "bosom" iskolpos, meaning "lap" "bay".[1] This relates to the Second Temple period practice of reclining and eating meals in proximity to other guests, the closest of whom physically was said to lie on the bosom (chest) of the host. (See John 13:23 )[2][3]

By the phrase, Abraham’s bosom, an allusion is made to the custom at Jewish feasts, when three persons reclining on their left elbows on a couch, the person whose head came near the breast of the other, was said to lie in his bosom. So it is said of the beloved disciple, John 13:25. Abraham’s bosom was a phrase used among the Jews to signify the paradise of God.

Abraham’s Bosom

Longing to be fed from the rich man’s table, Lazarus was covered in sores, portrayed as laying at the gate of the rich man’s estate. In Matthew 15, Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who had a demon-possessed daughter. At first, Jesus ignored her, but apparently she began shouting at Him, so much so that the disciples were so annoyed by her that they asked Jesus to send her away but she became even more adamant asking for help. But Jesus answered: "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." And she replied saying "Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." With that, Jesus recognized her faith and healed her daughter. Evidently, it was not uncommon for Jews to think of Gentiles as dogs longing for crumbs from the master’s table.

Lazarus being brought into Abraham’s bosom allegorically represents the closeness of two people. Here it is represented of the Gentiles being brought in the Kingdom, and the Jews being cast out.

Luke 10:30-3430 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, hehad compassion on him,34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Dogs licked his

sores

Luk 16:21 …moreover the dogs came and licked his

sores.

Luke 16:21 …fed with the crumbs…

Matt 15:27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters'

table.Mark 7:28 And she answered and said unto him,

Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

Matt 15:22-28This Gentile woman was acquainted with the

Jews' custom of referring to Gentiles as dogs and to themselves as God's children. The seeming harshness of Christ's expression is softened by the fact that the term denotes not the vicious, wild scavengers that roamed the streets, but little dogs kunaria that lived as pets in people's houses. (from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1962 by Moody Press)

Comparing the Rich man with LazarusRich Man Lazar

us1.He was Rich2.He worn nice clothes3.Lived in nice house4.He fed Lazarus5.He got good things in

life6.He is respectful (Father

)7.Concern and love for

family8.Pleads for family

welfare

1.He was poor2.He was Diseased3.He was a beggar4.He received bad

things

In the left column, can you find anything that would have caused the Rich man to lose out with God? In the right column, can you also find anything that Lazarus did to gain eternal life in heaven?

Examine these two columns closely. Is it not obvious that what is literally revealed here does not lend itself to an eternal life of torture for the Rich man or an eternal life of heavenly bliss for the poor man? Where else in Scripture do the character traits in the left column come under eternal condemnation? And where else in Scripture do the character traits in the right column bring a promise of salvation in Heaven? Seriously, WHERE?

From what is literally stated about these two individuals it is hard to find condemnation or praise for either party. We know for sure that the Rich man is in a state of condemnation and that Lazarus is in a state of consolement, but there is nothing in the narrative to tell us why this is so.

If taken literally, this parable consists of statements that are illogical, unscriptural, contradictory, and impossible. But, when we understand the symbolism of this parable, it opens up our understanding to God’s dealing with all peoples on earth! We must know the real identity of these two individuals before we can know that their treatment is a just treatment based on their lives and based on God’s grace.

Seventh-day Adventist

View #1: Bacchiocchi:"the main lesson of the parable, namely, nothing or no one can supersede the convicting power of the revelation that God has given us in His Word." (Immortality or Resurrection?, Samuele Bacchiocchi, Seventh-day Adventist, Ch 5: State of the Dead)View #2: Crews:"The Jewish nation was clearly represented by this character. By contrast, Lazarus symbolized all those people in spiritual poverty--the Gentiles--with whom the Israelites were to share their heritage." (The rich man and Lazarus, Dennis Crews, Amazing Facts, SDA)

CONCLUSION:The Rich man represents the Jewish nation as a whole that

rejects God’s commandments and loses the kingdom. Lazarus & Abraham are most distinctly the Elazar & Abraham of Genesis the 15th chapter. Eleazar representing the Gentiles that receive the Kingdom, the promises, the Covenant, the inheritance, etc.

One of the characteristics of this condition or state of the Rich man is Weeping & Gnashing of teeth. Mat 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luk 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.