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.