Information Related to "The truth about the Rich Man and Lazarus"
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The most common interpretation of Jesus' parable of Lazarus and the rich man is that we all have immortal souls that go to either heaven or hell immediately at death. But does this parable really say that?
Let's begin by reviewing the definition and purpose of a parable. Merriam Webster's defines a parable as "a short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson." Jesus often used parables in His teachings. His disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables. He answered, "'Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given'" (Matthew 13:10-11 [10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
[11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
, emphasis added throughout). Jesus' parables contain moral lessons that most listeners can understand to a limited degree. However, they're not designed to make the deeper meaning clear to everyone. Spiritual comprehension is given only to those whom God has granted His gift of divine insight (Matthew 13:18-23 [18] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
[19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
[20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
[21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
[23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
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An important principle to remember in studying the Bible is to always consider the context of any verse, chapter or book. In the case of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, it's important to understand the historical and biblical context of this parable.
Jesus presents the following story: "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores" (Luke 16:19-21 [19] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
[20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
[21] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
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Here we learn about a rich man who had everything he needed and wanted. Outside the door of his home lay a poor, sick, starving beggar named Lazarus. The rich man wouldn't even lift a finger to help him. To grasp the spiritual significance of this story we need to understand the biblical context in which it was presented.
Just prior to the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16 is another parable about the "unjust steward," which begins with the phrase "there was a certain rich man." As Jesus relayed that parable to his disciples, the Jewish teachers, the Pharisees, were listening. "Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him" (Luke 16:14And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.). These religious leaders sneered at Jesus because they knew they were the direct object of His words.
This was not the first time Jesus took these men to task for their self-absorbed greed, corruption and exploitation. For example in Matthew 23:14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Christ declared they were "devouring widow's houses." Also in verse 25 he declared they were "full of extortion and self-indulgence." So the context in which the parable of Lazarus and the rich man can be understood involves a person's responsibility to use money and wealth properly-which includes caring for the needs of other people.
Let's now move on to the next verse in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. "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" (Luke 16:22And 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;).
We must be careful not to jump to conclusions as to what we just read. Let's pause to ask what may seem like an obvious question. What's the definition of "bosom?" Webster's New World Dictionary notes that the human bosom or breast is "the source of feelings or the seat of inmost thoughts." Being in a person's bosom can also mean that a person or thing is embraced or cherished. For example in Deuteronomy 13:6If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; a man's wife is spoken of as "the wife of your bosom," which signifies a close, intimate relationship.
Therefore, when Lazarus is carried "to Abraham's bosom" it indicates he has a deep, personal connection to that righteous man who "was called the friend of God" (James 2:23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.). The rich man, on the other hand, was too worried about himself and his possessions to have a relationship with God.
But where will Abraham be when Lazarus is carried to him? Jesus told the religious leaders of his day, "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God , and yourselves thrust out" (Luke 13:28There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.). So Abraham will be in God's Kingdom!
It's often believed the Kingdom of God refers to heaven. But the Bible explains that God's Kingdom will be established on earth at Jesus Christ's second coming: "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever'" (Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever., English Standard Version). Also, the resurrected saints (including Abraham) will reign with Christ as kings and priests "on the earth " (Revelation 5:10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.). For much more information on this important subject please read our free Bible study aid booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom .
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Keywords: immortal soul parable Abraham's bosom heaven kingdom of God
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