Luke 16:19-31

1. The narrative of "The Rich Man And Lazarus" is a very interesting and intriguing story.

2. Some people believe this story is a parable and others affirm it is an actual historical account about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. 

16:19 "Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day.

1. "The rich man" is sometimes called "Dives" coming from the Latin.

2. "Purple and fine linen" were costly upper and under garments.

3. It appears that there was daily gluttonous feeding on exotic and costly dishes.

16:20 "And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores,

1. The use of the proper name "Lazarus" implies this is a real character.

2. If this is a parable, it is the only parable that uses a proper name, such as, Abraham and Lazarus.

3. It does begin like the Parable of the Wicked Steward and it is in a serious of parables.

4. Since Parables are used to convey spiritual truths, it makes no difference if this is parable or an actual occurrence.

5. If the rich man noticed this beggar, he had no concern for him for his state.

16:21 and longing to be fed with the {crumbs} which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.

16:22 "Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.

1. "Abraham's bosom" appears to be one and the same as "paradise." (Lk. 23:43).

2. It is describes as a place of bliss. (Lk. 16:25).

3. The angels may escort the righteous to "Abraham's bosom."

4. We cannot be certain about this.

16:23 "And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.

1. "Hades" denotes the Aunseen world@ in Greek.

• It was used by the Greeks for the spirit world that was divided into two compartments.
• There was an area for good spirits.
• There was an area for evil spirits known as 'tartarus." (2 Pet. 2:4).
• The word in this context denotes the place of disembodied evil spirits.

 2. The word "Hades" in the New Testament is never used in a good sense.

• It is used of the grave. (Acts 2:31; 13:33).
• It is used of the place of disembodied evil spirits. (Lk. 16:23).

 16:24 "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.'

1. His plea is made on the basis of Abrahamic descent.

2. He is suffering in immense agony.

3. The words Asend Lazarus@ suggest the rich man knew the name of the beggar, and he was aware of the continual need and misery of the beggar lying at his gate.

4. See Notes on Luke 16:27 in regard to the use of the word Afather.@ See also Luke 16:30.

5. Flames are frequently associated with the punishment of the unrighteous. (Matt. 18:8,9; 25:41; Mk. 9:48).

16:25 "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.

1. The words Ais comforted@ means God is comforting him.

2. The Ablesseds@ and Awoes@ of Luke 6:20-26 are now fulfilled.

16:26 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, in order that those who wish to come over from here to you may not be able, and {that} none may cross over from there to us.'

16:27 "And he said, 'Then I beg you, Father, that you send him to my father's house--

1. AFather@ is not used as a religious title.

2. Abraham was the father of the Jewish people. (Lk. 3:8; 13:16; 19:9; Gen. 12:1-3.

16:28 for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment. '

1. This rich man was very interested in his 5 brothers, and did not want them to die and end up in Hades (abode the evil spirits).

2. It is not known if these brothers were married and had children, or if the parents of the rich man were still alive.

3. These questions are immaterial to the main point of this narrative.

16:30 "But he said, 'No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!'

1. He did not pay much attention to the written word in life, and he does not seem to have much confidence in it now.

2. He is wanting a miracle. 

16:31 "He said to him, 'If they do nor hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.'"

1. It is possible that some might be influence by a messenger from the dead, but not those with closed minds.

2. They would reject any evidence that demanded they change their lives and obey one they could not accept.

3. The scriptures are sufficient witness for faith. (Rom 10:17; 1:16; Jas. 1:18,21).

4. Marshall write, AMiracles will not convince those whose hearts are morally blind and unrepentant.@ Marshall Luke, page 639.