In brief
Lazarus and the rich man are the two characters of a parable of Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31. They are teaching figures, not historical persons. A rich man lives in luxury every day, while the poor Lazarus, covered with sores, lies at his gate. At their death, Lazarus is comforted beside Abraham and the rich man suffers in Hades. This Lazarus must not be confused with Lazarus of Bethany, the friend whom Jesus raised (John 11).
What does the name Lazarus and the Rich Man mean?
The name Lazarus is generally linked to the Hebrew Eleazar, meaning God has helped. It is remarkable that the poor man receives a name while the rich man has none: the text speaks only of a certain rich man (Luke 16:19). The expression evil rich man comes from tradition, not from the biblical text.
The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man
The context: money-loving Pharisees
Luke 16:13-15Jesus has just taught that no one can serve God and Mammon. The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, hear him and scoff. Jesus answers that God knows their hearts and that what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus extends this warning about money.
Two lives at the same gate
Luke 16:19-21A rich man, clothed in purple and fine linen, lives in luxury every day. At his gate lies a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who longs to be fed with the crumbs that fall from the rich man's table. Even the dogs come and lick his sores. The rich man knows who he is, since he will later call him by name, but nothing suggests he ever helped him.
Two deaths, two destinies
Luke 16:22-23The beggar dies and is carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also dies, and is buried. In Hades, in torment, he lifts up his eyes and sees Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. The situation of earthly life is completely reversed.
The great gulf
Luke 16:24-26The rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue. Abraham reminds him that he received his good things in his lifetime, and Lazarus bad things: now Lazarus is comforted and he is in anguish. He adds that a great gulf is fixed between the two places, and that no one can cross it.
The five brothers
Luke 16:27-31The rich man then asks that Lazarus be sent to his five brothers to warn them. Abraham answers: “They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.” The rich man insists, thinking that someone from the dead would convince them. The final reply is firm: if they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.
What Lazarus and the Rich Man teaches us
- Money can blind us to the suffering of the one lying at our gate.
- The present life commits eternity: after death, the parable shows that it is no longer possible to change one's destiny.
- God sees the poor whom the world ignores, and he knows them by name.
- The Word of God is enough to call to repentance; it needs no spectacular signs.
- What matters before God is not wealth or poverty, but a heart that listens to his Word.
Key verses
Just before the parable, Jesus declares that no one can serve God and Mammon. The rich man in the story illustrates what becomes of a life wholly turned toward its riches.
Abraham sums up the reversal: the rich man received his good things in his lifetime, Lazarus received bad things, and now the one is comforted while the other is in anguish.
The conclusion of the parable: whoever does not listen to Moses and the prophets will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. Scripture is enough to lead to repentance.
Sermons about Lazarus and the Rich Man
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lazarus of the parable the same as Lazarus of Bethany?
No. The Lazarus of Luke 16 is a poor beggar, a character in a parable told by Jesus. Lazarus of Bethany is a historical person, the brother of Martha and Mary, whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11). The two share the same name, but nothing in the text allows us to identify them with each other.
Is this a parable or a true story?
Luke does not introduce this account with the word parable, but it has the form of one: it begins, like the story of the dishonest manager that opens the same chapter, with a rich man (Luke 16:1). The characters are therefore teaching figures. The message is no less true: Jesus teaches the reality of judgment after death and the sufficiency of Scripture.
What does Abraham's bosom mean?
The expression refers to the place of comfort where Lazarus is carried by the angels after his death (Luke 16:22). Being beside Abraham, the father of God's people, evokes fellowship with him and the rest of the righteous. The text gives no details about this place; it mainly stresses the contrast with the rich man's torment.