The Rich Man and Lazarus - Parable or ____?

Story of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Lu. 16:19-31)

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

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; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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.

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. 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.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

The Rich Man And Lazarus - More Than Just A Story?

The foregoing passage is commonly referred to as the parable of the rich man and Lazarus [a.k.a. Lazarus and Dives] but a closer look reveals some unique parallels between this story and the facts that are reported by the anonymous "other disciple, whom Jesus loved" in his Gospel. As we compare Lu. 16:19-31 to Jn, 11:1-12:10 keep in mind that while Jesus did use stories to teach, we're also told that Jesus was a prophet! (Mk. 6:4, Acts 3:22-26)

In the story that Jesus told in Luke 16, he referred to two characters, a man named "Lazarus" who died (Lu. 16:20 & 22) and a "rich man" who also died (Lu. 16:19 & 22). The "rich man" found himself "being in torments" (Lu. 16:23) and he then made a series of requests. To start with he sought relief and, oddly enough, in his appeal he includes the petition "send Lazarus..." (Lu. 16:24). The "rich man" is then informed why this could not happen (Lu. 16:25-26). Following this the "rich man" makes another appeal involving "Lazarus" -- "send him [Lazarus] to my fathers house: for I have five brethren; that he [Lazarus] may testify unto them (Lu. 16:27-28).

Notice what Jesus did with this story. The dead "rich man" is asking if someone named "Lazarus" could return from the dead to "testify" unto his "brethren", who were still alive.

Jesus underscores the fact that this was precisely what the "rich man" was requesting. When the "rich man" is told that his brethren "have Moses and the prophets" (Lu. 16:29) he protested, because he thought that sending Lazarus back from the dead would elicit a better response -- "if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent" (Lu. 16:30).

Sadly, however, the "rich man" was informed, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Lu. 16:31). Jesus ended the story here.

Now try to imagine the effect that this story would have had on those who actually heard Jesus teach it (especially his disciples). The day that the disciples heard Jesus speak these words it is likely that they thought that this story was no different than his other teaching stories. But what do you suppose those disciples were thinking when they later saw part of this story actually come true -- when they saw a man named Lazarus actually rise from the dead (Jn. 11:43-44)?

Who Was Jesus Speaking About?

Some try to take the moral of the story and apply it to the situation of the chief priests and Pharisees, who refused to embrace the resurrection of Jesus. While this might appear to be a good fit, let's take a closer look at this.

To begin with note the contrast between the way the story ended ("if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead") and the resurrection of Jesus (which has been persuading people for the last 2000 years).

Moreover, consider this fact; in the scriptures the resurrected Jesus didn't appear to unbelievers! After the resurrection every recorded appearance of Jesus was to those that believed or would believe. He did not appear before the priests or Pharisees to "testify" unto them. These facts seem to hinder comparisons between the resurrected Jesus and the person who the "rich man" requested in Lu. 16:30 (the one who the "rich man" was sure would bring about repentance in those who already had "Moses and the prophets".

Luke 16:19-31 has often been related to Jesus' resurrection, his witnesses in the New Testament and the good news of gospel. But before we search for a deeper meaning in this story consider the possibility that, in Lu. 16:19-31, Jesus was articulating a prophecy. [Jesus delay and words in Jn. 11:4, 6-7 & 14-15 would support this.]

The account of Luke 16 has several parallels to the raising of Lazarus. Lazarus died (Jn. 11:1-36), was later raised from the dead (Jn. 11:36-46). Plus, although there are no words of Lazarus recorded in the Bible, it is likely that he would "testify" about Jesus to those with whom he spoke.

Moreover Lazarus became a living testimony to the power of God. And "many of the Jews", who witnessed the raising of Lazarus, believed on Jesus (Jn. 11:45). [Also see: Jn. 12:9-11 & Jn. 12:17-18.] But, similar to the response that Jesus described in Luke 16, the Jewish leaders were not persuaded even though eyewitnesses to the raising of Lazarus "went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done" (Jn. 11:46). Instead of repenting "the chief priests and the Pharisees" plotted to kill Jesus (Jn. 11:47-53). The "chief priests" also sought to kill Lazarus (Jn. 12:10). Given this do you think the reaction described by Jesus in Lu. 16:31 was a prophecy of this? It's up to you to ponder this food for thought and decide for yourself.

Lazarus come forth, free printable Bible study -- Click for a printer friendly version of this page
 
Jesus and Lazarus of Bethany -- What the scriptures have to say about Lazarus

The beloved disciple -- The Bible proves he was not John