September 9, 2024

The Rich Man and Lazarus

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 13:58
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The story of the rich man and Lazarus in the Gospel of Luke makes a comparison between the lives of two men—one rich, the other poor—which extends beyond this life and into the next. Jesus starts the parable by describing the rich man.

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day” (Luke 16:19).

Not a lot is said in this brief introductory description, but the original listeners would have drawn some definite impressions from it. This man was not only rich, but he dressed daily in purple cloth, which only the very wealthy could afford. The rich man also wore fine linen. Wearing white linen garments under purple robes was indicative of great affluence. On top of that, he feasted sumptuously every day, which might mean that he entertained guests on a daily or regular basis. The point being made, both here and later in the story, is that the man was very rich and self-indulgent.

“And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores”(Luke 16:20–21).

In keeping with the brevity of the parables, the information about Lazarus is sparse. However, one outstanding point is that his name is given. This is the only one of Jesus’ parables in which people are named. The name Lazarus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Eliezer or Elazar, meaning the one who God helps.

Lazarus is so poor he must beg for food. He is also ill, covered with oozing sores, and cannot walk. In first-century Palestine, there were no governmental services that provided care for the poor, so such care had to be given by the community or individuals. Almsgiving, the giving of money or food to those in need, was the main way people like Lazarus survived.

Every day Lazarus would sit at the gate of the rich man, knowing that daily feasts were being eaten there and that his hunger could be satiated if he were just given some of the food being tossed on the floor. The dogs would come and lick Lazarus’ leaking sores. Most Bible commentators presume that the dogs were dirty, mangy street dogs.

Lazarus was in a miserable state—unable to walk, covered with sores, always hungry and sitting day after day begging outside the gate of the rich man, who apparently ignored him. He was a ritually unclean social outcast.

The parable continues: “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side” (Luke 16:22).

Being by Abraham’s side, or at Abraham’s bosom, as it’s sometimes translated, expressed the blessed state after death, and was compared to dining with the patriarchs, as seen in Matthew 8:11: “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

Lazarus, who was never invited to the rich man’s feast, who was relegated to being fed with what fell from the rich man’s table, is now reclining at a feast in the place of honor next to Abraham, the father of faith. The rich man, meanwhile, experiences a very different fate.

“The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame’” (Luke 16:22–24).

The unnamed rich man has died and been buried, undoubtedly with an expensive funeral. However, his existence is now very different from what it was in his time on earth. He who feasted daily with copious food and wine is now the one in need and dependent on others for help. He called out to Abraham, naming him “father,” perhaps hoping that reminding Abraham of his Jewish descent would in some way obligate Abraham to help him.

At this point in the parable, the surprising discovery is made that the rich man knew Lazarus’ name, and was apparently aware that Lazarus sat daily in front of his house in desperate need. However, he shows no remorse about his neglect of Lazarus; instead, he’s instructing Abraham to send Lazarus to perform a service for him.

“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish’” (Luke 16:25).

Abraham doesn’t answer harshly; rather he calls him “child.” He instructs the rich man to think back on the life he led and all the good things he received, as opposed to the bad things Lazarus experienced. Abraham reminds him that the wealth he possessed wasn’t truly his; it was on loan from God, and he was meant to use it wisely. Now his earthly life is finished, and due to his actions in that life he is in anguish.

Lazarus, on the other hand, is now comforted. Having lived a difficult life, he is no longer in pain and torment. He is no longer neglected. He has found lasting comfort after his death.

Abraham then said: “And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us” (Luke 16:26).

Even if Lazarus out of compassion wished to dip his finger in water and cool the rich man’s tongue, it would be impossible. Lazarus would have been well within his rights to point out how ridiculous it was for the rich man to ask that he be sent to help relieve his pain. Hadn’t Lazarus been in pain daily at the rich man’s doorstep and received nothing? Yet Lazarus says nothing, as is the case throughout the whole parable.

The rich man then comes up with a new task for Lazarus. “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment’” (Luke 16:27–28).

Realizing that his predicament isn’t going to change, the rich man asks that Lazarus be sent on a mission to warn his brothers. He sees that the same fate awaits them, most likely because they live in the same manner as he did, pursuing their own selfish pleasure with no concern for those in need.

“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them’” (Luke 16:29). Abraham replies that the Scriptures, God’s written Word, are sufficient to instruct his brothers in righteous living and faith. If they will hear those words, meaning to obey and follow them, they won’t end up as their dead brother has.

This answer doesn’t sit well with the rich man. He’s used to people doing what he says. His response is argumentative. “And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent’” (Luke 16:30).

This is ironic given that the rich man himself is at that moment seeing someone “from the dead,” Lazarus, who is reclining at the table with Abraham, and he hasn’t shown any sign of repentance. Yet he’s convinced that if Lazarus were to appear to his brothers, they would repent.

Abraham lets him know that’s not the case. “He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead’” (Luke 16:31).

The rich man is asking that a sign be given to his brothers. It is clear that the rich man knew that his brothers weren’t living in obedience to what God’s Word taught, and that they were going to end up in the same state he was in if they didn’t receive a sign. But Abraham says that no sign would be given to them, as they had God’s Word available to them and that was sufficient. They knew enough from the Scriptures to know what God says about how to live righteously and how to treat the poor.

Many of those Jesus was speaking to would have initially assumed that the rich man was blessed by God and that Lazarus was being judged, as they believed that prosperity was God’s blessing and the lack of it was God’s judgment. Jesus was expressing that this wasn’t necessarily the case. Being rich isn’t necessarily a sign that one has received God’s blessing or that they are righteous; nor are those who have less, or who suffer illness or poverty, being judged by God.

The parable also shows the wealthy how not to act. The rich man was aware of Lazarus and his needs but was indifferent toward him. He took no action to help him, though he clearly had the means to do so. It’s so easy to look away when one sees a beggar, especially when they are unsightly, as in this graphic example Jesus uses of Lazarus’ oozing sores being licked by dogs. Instead of seeing a human being, one made in God’s image whom God loves, it’s easier to avoid them or to look away, to be indifferent toward them. As Christians, we are meant to respond with love and compassion when we see the condition of those in need.

Jesus is using a wealthy man as a bad example in this parable to highlight the danger of allowing riches and possessions to wrongly affect one’s attitude. It has to do with the place of importance we give our possessions and how we use them. Do we serve our money and possessions, or do we use them for God’s glory?

Do we live self-indulgent lives like the rich man in this parable, or do we help others? Even if we don’t have enough to give much financially, do we do what we can to help those in need, perhaps by giving some of our time, attention, or in some way helping to meet their need? What is our attitude toward the poor and needy? Are we indifferent? Do we look down on them? Do we judge them because we feel they deserve to be in that situation? Or do we show compassion, care, and concern in our actions?

The parable also gives a warning about ignoring or rejecting God’s Word. The rich man either had no belief or wrong belief. He knew his brothers were in the same condition. He asked for a sign to be given to them, but Abraham said no sign would be given because God’s Word was available to them. God held the rich man accountable because he had access to God’s Word, yet didn’t live in alignment with it, as evidenced by the fact that he didn’t treat the poor in accordance with Scripture.

How we live our lives affects our eternal future. Our actions, or our lack of action, make a difference not only in our life today, but in our life forever. We should be mindful of the choices we make, how we live, how we use our money and possessions, and how we treat those in need. The sum of our decisions, choices, and actions not only make us who we are today, but affect our future in the life after this one.

As Christians, we are surrounded by many who don’t believe or realize that there is life after this life. They may not understand that believing God’s Word and receiving salvation through His Son Jesus will change their lives now and for eternity. Our job is to share our riches of spiritual truth with them. We shouldn’t be like the rich man in the parable, content with our spiritual riches, and pass by the “Lazaruses” of this world who are so in need, not just physically, but spiritually.

As Christians we each possess the most valuable thing anyone can have—eternal life and a personal relationship with the one who makes it possible, Jesus. There are multitudes from all walks of life around us who are in desperate need, and we have the spiritual riches of faith, of salvation, of God’s deep love to share with them. We are called to do the very best we can to bring them comfort and salvation.

Originally published July 2014. Adapted and republished September 2024. Read by Jon Marc.

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