Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16: "There was a certain rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And 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; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And 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. 25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us. 27"And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house-- 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31"But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.' 1

Backdrop the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Succession of parables continuation of Chapter 15  The Lost Sheep  The Lost Coin  Prodigal Son  The Unrighteous Steward  The Rich Man and Lazarus 2

Enemies Christ Encountered  Pharisees: Accepted the written Word as inspired by God. But gave equal authority to oral tradition and attempted to defend this position by saying it went all the way back to Moses. Over time added to the Word of God.  Sadducees: Wealthy-Chief Priest-High Priest- Considered only the written Word to be from God. The denied the resurrection of the dead. Denied the existence of a spiritual world (angels/demons).  Both groups identified themselves with being the 'offspring’ of Abraham 3

Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 19"There was a certain rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day.  Certain rich man: The Jewish nation {the House of Judah} the seed of Abraham.  Dressed in purple “Royalty”  Fine linen- Righteousness (of the Law) Priests and Levites dressed in white linen.  Rich in the mercies and blessing of the Lord 4 Luke 16: 19House of Judah the Royal Tribe

Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.  Lazarus represents the Gentile nation-Jews looked upon them as heathens and dogs.  Mat15:26, 27:The Faith of the Canaanite Woman  …26But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” 27“Yes, Lord, she said, “- even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” 28“O woman,” Jesus answered, “your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.… 5 Luke 16: 20,21Lazarus (he whom God helps)

Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16: 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; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  Abraham’s bosom-Close relationship.  Lazarus (Gentiles) receiving the blessing of Abraham. "that the BLESSING OF ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the PROMISE OF THE S- P-I-R-I-T through faith" (Gal. 3:14).Galatians 3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you.“ (Gen 22-18) 6

Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16: 24 24And 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.  Tormented (touchstone): Tested or tried-the genuineness of gold.  Cries of someone completely engulfed in flames?  What’s tormenting the rich man?  The hell of the rich man was not a place where he was tortured by a torment inflicted, but a condition of testing for truth or purity Heb 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. 29For our God is a consuming fire. 7

Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16: 25,26 25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.  Luke 13:30 :And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.  Great chasm-For the house of Judah to return to Abraham's bosom today would mean for the Jews to return to the bosom of Jesus Christ and this seems to be far from the present tendencies or aspirations of the Jewish people.  Abraham is not the mediator who took the keys to death and hell. Only Jesus can cross the great chasm. 8

Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16: "And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house-- 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. Five Brothers of Judah  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Issachar and Zebulun 9

Understanding the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus 10 Luke 16:31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'