“Now
there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. 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 in anguish in this flame.’
Luke 16:19-24
Luke 16 [14.] The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him. He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall. Everyone who divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
Luke 16 [19.] “Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. 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 in anguish in this flame.’
Luke 16 [25.] “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’
Meaning:
The Pharisees, “who were lovers of money,” had scoffed at Jesus’ teaching that no one can serve God and Mammon (Luke 16:13-14). Jesus answered with a story that shows where a life centered on wealth ends. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus has two scenes: life on earth and life after death. These verses tell of the two men’s lives, their deaths, and the rich man’s first cry from Hades. Abraham’s reply follows in Luke 16:25-31.
- “clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day”
Purple cloth was dyed with an expensive dye from shellfish and was worn by kings and the very rich. Fine linen was used for undergarments of the wealthy. The rich man feasted not only on special occasions but “every day.” The prophet Amos had condemned such careless luxury: “Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock” (Amos 6:4).
- “A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate”
Lazarus is the only person given a name in any of Jesus’ parables. The name is a form of Eleazar, meaning “God helps.” He had no one else to help him. He was “laid” at the gate, probably carried there because he could not walk, and he was covered with sores. He longed for the scraps that fell from the table, and only the street dogs paid him any attention. The rich man must have passed him daily, yet he did nothing. “Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard” (Proverbs 21:13).
- “carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom”
At death everything was reversed. Lazarus, who perhaps had no proper burial, was carried by angels to “Abraham’s bosom,” a picture of the place of honor beside Abraham at the heavenly feast, as a beloved guest reclined next to the host. The rich man “was buried,” no doubt with a fine funeral, but found himself in Hades, “being in torment.” The footnote notes that Hades may also be translated “Hell.”
- “Father Abraham, have mercy on me”
The rich man appealed to Abraham as his ancestor, trusting in his descent. He knew Lazarus by name, which shows he had known all along who lay at his gate. Even now he treated Lazarus as a servant to be sent on his errands. His request for a drop of water shows how great his anguish was.
The Significance of Luke 16:19-24
- Wealth is a responsibility
The rich man is not condemned for being rich but for ignoring the need at his gate. “Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?” (1 John 3:17).
- God sees the poor
Those who are overlooked in this life are known and honored by God. Their suffering is not the end of their story.
Cross-References:
Luke 6:24: “But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.” Jesus’ warning to the rich.
James 5:5: “You have lived delicately on the earth, and taken your pleasure.” Luxury that ignores others.
Amos 6:4: “Who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches,” The prophet’s rebuke of careless wealth.
1 John 3:17: “whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need,” Love that acts.
Conclusion: A rich man lived in daily luxury while the sick beggar Lazarus lay unhelped at his gate. When both died, Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham’s side, while the rich man found himself in torment, begging for a drop of water. Jesus’ story warns that how we treat the needy in this life reveals our hearts and has eternal consequences.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible