Friday DIVE – The PARABLE of The Rich Man and Lazarus | fd20260807

Friday DIVE / By

 

INTRODUCTION 

There are two key passages that defenders of the Hell doctrine rely on heavily … to support their belief in Hell as a place of eternal, conscious torment (ECT) … Matthew 25:31-46  and  Luke 16:19-31 … which speak of the Parable of The Sheep and Goats and the PARABLE of the Rich Man and Lazarus.  

My SPS … in this session … is to show why I believe Luke 16:19-31 does NOT prove Hell as a place of eternal conscious torment.  

But, first … a recap of what we noted re: Matthew 25:41-46.  

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire ** prepared for the devil and his angels:  42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;  43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’   

44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’  45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”   

    • v.41 “everlasting fire” … not a fire that never stops burning … but (1) a fire, the effect of which is everlasting or (2) a fire that is age-lasting, not necessarily eternal.  
    • v.46 … “everlasting” and “eternal” come from the same Greek word … but they don’t have to mean the same exact thing (to the same degree) … because the meaning in each instance is related to the wkrd that it modifies (is describing).  For example, the one word “tall” can be used to describe a “man” or a “building” … but the word will have a totally different meaning in each case.  
    • v.46 … “punishment” is translated from a word that does not have to mean destruction… The word, kolasin, translated as “destruction” can also mean “correction“.   The meaning that a translator or interpreter attaches to the Greek word is often determined by his/her personal or church theology (what he/she believes about God).  
  • In light of the last two points …Matthew 25:46 should be better understood as “And these will go away into age-lasting correction, but the righteous into eternal life.”  

 

The text for this lesson …

Luke 16:19-31 (NKJV)  

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with [i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then 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 said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”   

What can we glean from this passage?  

What was Jesus telling his listeners?  Was He telling them what Hell was like?  Was He telling them what Heaven was like?  Or was He telling them something else?  What did He want them to understand?  What should we understand?  

To understand, we need to notice two things of import …

  1. Jesus’ audience
  2. that this passage is a parable
  3. something Jesus said about parables

 

1.  Jesus’ audience

  • Luke 16:14 … Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, not to the disciples. 

2.  The story is a parable

  • Some defenders of Hell as a place of eternal torment for others argue that this is not a parable … because it doesn’t say it is. 
  • This is NOT a valid argument.  The parables of the Prodigal Son and of the Unjust Steward, which immediately precede the Rich Man in Hell, (Luke 15:11-32 and 16:1-13) also do not state that they are parables; but no one seems to deny that they are. 

3.  Something Jesus said about parables

  • Luke 8:10 (to His disciples) … “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; but to others in parables  that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” 
  • Mark 4:1-2, 10-12;    And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching … 10 But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.  11 And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, 12 so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’”  
  • Mark 4:33-34   And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.  34 But without a parable He did not speak to them.  And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.   
  • Luke 8:4  And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable:  

Something Matthew said … 

  • Matthew 13:34-36  All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”  36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.”

So, this parable for the Pharisees is not a clear and literal statement of fact … It is a parable … a fictional story, not intended to be taken literally.  

To those who are Biblical literalists, this parable poses enormous problems.  The first of these is the identity of the two characters:  the Rich Man and Lazarus.  Literal interpreters jump to conclusions about them.  Since the Rich Man goes to “hell,” he must be bad.  But notice:  According to the Jewish Law, riches were a sign that one was obedient to the Law and, therefore, in God’s FAVOR.  Poverty was a sign of disobedience to the Law and, therefore, being in God’s DISFAVOR.  So, right from the beginning something doesn’t fit.  Nowhere does the parable state the Rich man to be bad or Lazarus to be good!  The Rich Man’s only vice seems to be that he is rich; Lazarus’ only virtue seems to be his extreme poverty.  Are these the two things which literalists think send someone to bliss or blisters?  Also, nowhere in the parable does it say that Lazarus goes “to heaven.” Instead, he gets placed “in Abraham’s bosom.”  One might argue that being stuffed into Abraham is not a good fate — and an increasingly uncomfortable one as more than one individual is in the same location!

 

There are other problems for literalists.  It seems a little peculiar for one “tormented in this flame” to request only so much water as might be had from the tip of a finger!  And why should the Rich Man think that Lazarus would go to hell to give this meaningless amount of water?

 

The literal implications of verse 25 are philosophically untenable.  The rationale for good and bad after-lives seems to be simply that they are the opposite of the current life.  This should make all sincere believers now pray for a horrible time in this life and worry if they enjoy anything now!

 

 

 

Luke 16:19    

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously[lived in luxury] every day. 

  • Who was the rich man?  The use of the word “certain” suggests the rich man was representative of some person or some group of persons.  But who? Which group? 
  • Exodus 39:1-5 …

    Of the blue, purple, and scarlet thread they made garments of ministry, for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as the Lord had commanded Moses.   2 He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen.  3 And they beat the gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads, to work it in with the blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, into artistic designs.  4 They made shoulder straps for it to couple it together; it was coupled together at its two edges.  5 And the intricately woven band of his ephod that was on it was of the same workmanship, woven of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 

  • The Rich Man represents the Jews.  Israel was, of all nations, “the royal nation” — clothed in purple.  

Luke 16:20-21    

20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell[NU what fell] from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 

  • Again, the use of the word “certain” suggests that Lazarus was representative of a person or group of persons.  But which person … or which group? 
  • QQQ … from Google AI re: Lazarus:  Lazarus and Eliezer (also spelled Eleazar) are linguistically the same name. “Lazarus” is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Eleazar or Eliezer, which means “God is my help” or “God has helped” … Eliezer / Eleazar: A traditional Hebrew name from the Old Testament (such as Abraham’s chief servant, Eliezer of Damascus, or Aaron’s son, Eleazar) … Lazarus: The shortened, Hellenized form of Eleazar used in the New Testament gospels. … Some biblical scholars note a deliberate literary echo to Genesis 15, where Abraham’s faithful servant was Eliezer of Damascus, whom Abraham initially considered his heir.   
  • Who was Eliezer? Notice Genesis 15:1-4 … 

    • After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, [a]your exceedingly great reward.”   2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”  3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”  4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”  

  • Lazarus represents the Gentiles. 
  • “dogs” …  The Jews called Gentiles “dogs.”  Jesus confirms this symbolism in his dealings with the Gentile woman in Matthew 15:21-28 and Mark 7:25-30.  Now that the age was changing, God would help the Gentiles directly.  Thus they are appropriately in this parable named “Helped by God” (Lazarus).  

Luke 16:22    

22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.   

  • The word “DIED”,  literally, means “stopped living”.  It does not mean “going” anywhere — not to torment, nor to “Abraham’s bosom.”  (See Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10.) 
  • But, symbolically, in the Bible, it refers to became dead to something.  In other words, it means ONE CONDITION has ended and ANOTHER CONDITION has begun.  THAT is the meaning here in this parable. 
    • Lazarus DIED AS A BEGGAR.  That means that the Gentiles were no longer estranged from God.  They no longer need beg for spiritual truth. 
    • The Rich Man, on the other hand, DIED TO HIS RICHES.  That means that Israel, being cast off from God’s favor, was no longer rich! 
      • The OLD CONDITIONS of each of these “men” were now ended.  The NEW CONDITIONS are symbolized thusly:
        1.  Lazarus was “carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.”  Angels are messengers.  The Gentiles received the Gospel Message from the “angels” we know as Peter, Paul, etc.  And thus they were invited to be lifted into the condition of being the heirs of the Abrahamic Covenant and its promises.   (Galatians 3:14, 29)
        2. The Rich Man (The Jews) died as a rich man “and was buried.”  The Jews, as a nation, ceased to exist after 70 A.D. … They were no longer was in existence.

 

Luke 16:23 (NKJV)    

23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.   

  • KJV:  23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.   
  • Note the difference in translation … which would result in a difference in interpretation, representation and understanding. 
  • Question:   IF Hades is Hell, is the “bosom of Abraham” Heaven?  
  • Question 2:  Would you want to spend the rest of eternity in Abraham’s bosom? … Yes, BUT NOT literally. 
  • Again, these questions just help to show the absurdity of a literal interpretation of the passage.  
  • On a more serious note … would a Jewish audience in the time of Jesus believe Abraham to be in Heaven (or even Paradise) literally?  
  • Note the following passages?  
  • Ecclesiastes 9:5 (KJV) … For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.  
  • Psalm 146:2-4 (KJV) …  2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.  3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.  4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.  
  • Most Jews would have believed that Abraham was in some sepulchre (or grave or sheol) somewhere.  
  • What would Jesus have believed?  
  • John 3:13 (KJV) … “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

Luke 16:24    

24 “Then 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.’    

  • “Father” can mean father … but it can also mean grandfather … and it can also mean forefather.  
  • Its use just strengthen the argument that the Rich Man was a descendant of Abraham … a Jew … representative of the Jews as a people.  
  • Question:  Can water from the tip of a finger really quench one’s thirst?  

Luke 16:25    

25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.   

  • QQQ …  Hidden in the promises to Abraham there are, indeed, responses to the Jewish questionings. 
  • The Jews, though temporarily cast off, are yet “sons” of the Abrahamic promise.  In prophecies, in allegories (Galatians 4:21-28), in types and shadows, the Holy Scriptures have made it clear that Israel was to be favored during the Jewish Age (Amos 3:2), and the Gentiles were to find favor in the Christian Age (during which Israel would find the discomforts of disfavor.)  

Luke 16:26    

26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’  

  • What is the great gulf that separates the Rich Man from Abraham and Lazarus? 
    • Some say unbelief. 
    • Some say it’s the rejection of the Christ by the Jews.  
    • Some say spiritual death.
  • I am not 100% sure.  I don’t know.   
  • QQQ …  But before Israel is fully restored to God’s favor, the time will have to come when truth will breach the great “gulf” that separates Israel from God — their age-long rejection of Messiah.  No communication that fully answers the question of God’s separation from them can happen while this primary blindness continues.

 

Luke 16:27-28    

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’  

  • Werse 28 is the verse, for me, that shows the Rich Man is representative of the Jews (as opposed to all Israel). 
  •   These verses (27-29) begin the summary of Jewish thought as set by the experiences at the end of the Jewish Age.  
  • The Rich Man has five brothers. 
  • Who are the five brothers?  And how do they point to the Jews?  
  • Consider the following list …  
    • 1. Reuben – Mother: Leah     
    • 2. Simeon – Mother: Leah     
    • 3. Levi – Mother: Leah    
    • 4. Judah – Mother: Leah     
    • 5. Dan – Mother: Bilhah (Rachel’s maid)     
    • 6. Naphtali – Mother: Bilhah (Rachel’s maid)     
    • 7. Gad – Mother: Zilpah (Leah’s maid)     
    • 8. Asher – Mother: Zilpah (Leah’s maid)     
    • 9. Issachar – Mother: Leah     
    • 10. Zebulun – Mother: Leah    
    • 11. Joseph – Mother: Rachel   
    •  12. Benjamin – Mother: Rachel     
        • (Note: Leah also gave birth to a daughter, Dinah, who came between Zebulun and Joseph or after Zebulun in the overall family timeline, but she is not counted among the twelve patriarchal sons.)  

 

Luke 16:29    

29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 

  • How would Abraham have known about Moses … if the dead know nothing (as Ecclesiastes 9:5 says)? 

Luke 16:30    

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’  

Luke 16:31    

31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”  

  • The word of God is not enough for some people … Some want signs.  
  • One takeaway could be … If we do not heed Holy Scripture, even the most monumental of signs will be missed or misinterpreted.  

 

CONCLUSION   

  • The Great Supper parable (Luke 14:16-24), The Lost Sheep and Lost Coin parables (Luke 15:1-10), the Prodigal Son parable (Luke 15:11-32), the Rich Steward parable (Luke 16:1-13)—all of these lessons which come before the Rich Man and Lazarus have at least some content relating to God’s casting off His Law Covenant relationship with the Jews and His seeking His Church among a remnant of Jews and among Gentiles. 
  • Thus, the PARABLE of the Rich Man and Lazarus is NOT about what Hell is like … It is about the rejection of Israel and the acceptance of Gentiles.  
  • The true meaning of the Rich Man and Lazarus is so satisfying, so contextually meaningful — so like God! 

 

 

 

 

 

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