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The rich man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
IntroductionThis is cited by many religious
groups to prove that souls of the departed go to torment in hell or bliss in heaven at death.
As Christadelphians we believe :◦this to be a parable◦Hell is a word that speaks of the
grave◦That no man has ascended to the
Heavens ◦See John 3:13; 1 Tim. 6:16
OutlineWhat is a parable?Literal?Historical languageWhy would Jesus use false
teachings?Teachings of heaven and hellWhat the parable meansThe origins of the parableConclusions
What is a parable?". . . Unto you it is given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand. . . " (Mark 4:11,12).
"But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples." (Mark 4:34).
Is it literal?Bodies not soulsImmaterial?A great gulf?Conversations between heaven &
hell?Abraham’s bosom
Absurdities of a literal interpretationPrior to Abraham?A reward for righteousness?Conversation over a great
chasm?A drop of water?Is Lazarus stupid?How did Abraham read Moses
and the prophets?
Historical languageStress is often placed upon words
"there was a certain rich man" to emphasize the historical character of the language used.
But in Luke 16:1 the parable of the unjust steward commences with the same language.
Similar language is used in other parables - see Luke 12:16
Would Jesus use ...False teaching?Sarcasm?Parody?
Why would Jesus speak in this way?Further objection to reading this
passage as a parable is argued on the grounds that Jesus did not definitely call it a parable.
This objection is not valid since only 11 of the 26 parables recorded in Luke's gospel are actually named parables
Teachings of heaven and hell
Disbelievers – hellIdol worshippers – lake of fireAbraham’s family worshipped
idols
Teachings of heaven and hellDo bodies go to hades?Acts 2:27, 31 Psalm 16:10Parallelism
What the parable meansvs. 14,15 - The Pharisees deride Jesus
after his attack on materialism. vs. 16 - Jesus pointed out their covetous
designsThey had taken away the key of
knowledge. (Luke 11:52,46).vs. 17 "bring forth therefore fruits meet
for repentance." (Matt. 3:2, 7-10). vs. 18--Jesus cites the teaching of the
law on adultery as an example
What the parable meansvs. 19 - "Which was clothed“Purple is for kings and priestsCaiaphas is likely the unnamed
rich man.vs. 20 – Lazarusvs. 21 - Lazarus was typical of all
Jews of this day.
What the parable meansvs. 22- 31 - Lazarus dies and in
the parable, the premature death of Caiaphas is made to follow.
The five brothers are the five brothers-in-law of Caiaphas, the Sadduceean High Priest.
The resurrection of Lazarus further incensed the Pharisees.
The origins of the parable"In this parable, Jesus was using a
familiar folk-tale and adapting it to a new purpose by adding an unfamiliar twist to the end of it.“ G. B. Caird, The Gospel of St. Luke (Penguin Books), p. 191.
"This parable is not theology. It is a vivid story, not a Baedeker's guide to the next world. Such stories as this were current in Jesus' day. They are found in rabbinical sources, and even in Egyptian papyri.”
The Interpreter's Bible - Volume VIII (New York: Abingdon Press) p. 290.
Conclusions
In summary:The parable condemns CaiaphasThe parable is a further
indictment of the Sadducees The parable is presented in terms
of the popular belief of the Pharisees about the death state.