The Rich Man & Lazarus
(Part 1 of 3)

Today I want to look at the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus as we read in Luke 16:19-31. But I am going to do the lesson in multiple parts. In the first part, we will read up through verse 23. I will cover the remaining parts, verses 24 through 31, over the next two weeks. 

Let’s read the first section and discuss the verses as we read them. In some versions of the Bible, the Rich Man is given the name “Dives” which is Latin for “rich man.” Also, Lazarus is not the same Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead (see John 11:43-44). It is also believed that this is not a parable but rather a factual account. Scholars believe this is true because Jesus never uses a given name in His parables for the characters as He did Lazarus here.

In verses 19 and 20, we see that Lazarus is a poor man stricken with sores; open and ulcerated wounds that were oozing bodily fluids that the dogs were licking. Now Lazarus longed to eat even the crumbs that fell from the Rich Man’s table. The rich man lived the life of the upper class living a flamboyant lifestyle and dressed in the finest clothes.

In verse 22, both men die. Angels carry Lazarus to Abraham’s side or bosom (depending on your translation) and the rich man is buried. From the Talmud, the Jewish documents that establish Jewish theology and religious law, we know that Abraham’s bosom is where the righteous dead await vindication before the final judgement. In verse 23, we learn that the rich man was in Hades or hell (depending on your translation) and suffering great distress. He was able to see Abraham and Lazarus although they were far away.

It should be noted in the original Greek manuscripts, that the word translated “hell” in the King James Version is actually hádê which is obviously Hades. You see, Hades is where the wicked dead await final judgement before being tossed into the lake of fire (see Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10-15) or hell. Hell is the final place of torment for those whose name was not found in the Book of Life.

To recap and reading from the Amplified Bible, we have thus far:

“19 There was a certain rich man who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and reveled and feasted and made merry in splendor every day.
20 And at his gate there was [carelessly] dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus, [reduced to begging alms and] covered with [ulcerated] sores.
21 He [eagerly] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores.
22 And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 And in Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
Luke 16:19-23 (AMP)

Next Sunday, we will look closely at verses 24 through 26. There are some word studies that need investigation so that we fully understand these graphic verses. You will not want to miss next week’s Sunday’s Knowledge Nugget #005.

That will be a wrap for today. You all have been great. I especially appreciate the eMails from folks that either let me know how this ministry has helped them or sent me ideas on content that I could publish. With that, I leave you by speaking this blessing over you:

“I pray that the Lord
will bless and protect you,
and that he will show you mercy
and kindness.
May the Lord be good to you
and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (CEV)

Pastor Dave