The Rich Man and Lazarus

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What is the meaning behind The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus? Who was Jesus talking to, disciples or the Pharisees?

In order to best understand what is going on in the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, it is helpful to understand the situation surrounding this parable. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, is the final parable in a series of five parables that Jesus uses to address certain Pharisees and scribes who were upset with Him, because “the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him” (Luke 15:1), causing the Pharisees and the scribes to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2).

Though Jesus was speaking primarily to the Pharisees, scribes (Luke 15:2-3; 16:14), and His disciples (Luke 16:1), there were more than likely tax collectors and sinners who were listening as well (Luke 15:1).

In response to the accusations of the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus shares five parables (Luke 15:3-7, 8-10, 11-32 – 16:1-13, 19-31), and one rebuke for the Pharisees (Luke 16:14-18). The entire series of parables were to explain to His listeners how God is pursuing after those who are lost, and how He is opposed to the way the Pharisees and scribes take advantage of, and show no care towards those who are lost and in need.

The Parable's of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin

The first two parables in the series; the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7), and the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), are used by Jesus to explain how God is searching for those who are lost, and in need of being found. They are like helpless sheep in need of a shepherd, and also like a lost coin that is of great value to its owner. In the final three parables, Jesus begins describing both the tax collectors and sinners in comparison to the Pharisees and Scribes.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Though the parable of the prodigal son is generally explained to represent backslidden kids who grow up in Christian homes, it’s true purpose was to show the Pharisees and Scribes that they are like the son who was angry about the fact that his father forgave, restored, and celebrated the return of his lost brother (Luke 15:25-32). On the other hand, the prodigal son who lived in complete rebellion to his father (Luke 15:11-16), and then repented (Luke 15:7-14), is likened to the tax collectors and sinners whom Jesus was receiving to Himself (Luke 15:1-3).

The Parable of the Dishonest Business Manager

The fourth parable in this passage is a rebuke against the Pharisees. Jesus likens them to a dishonest business manager, because they were dishonest and slothful in attending to what their wealthy boss (God) had left in their care (Luke 16:1-13). When the Pharisees heard this, they once again ridiculed Jesus, leading Him to rebuke them for their hardened hearts (Luke 16:14-18).

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

This is what sets the stage for our final parable, which deals with the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). In this parable, Jesus now compares the Pharisees to a rich man, who has no concern for the wellbeing of Lazarus, a poor and needy beggar, who represents the tax collectors and sinners.

The meaning behind this parable is simple. The Pharisees, who were lovers of money (Luke 16:14), are like the rich man “who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day” (Luke 16:19), while the tax collectors and sinners are like the “poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table” (Luke 16:20-21).

Not only did the rich man (Pharisees) refuse to feed the poor man (Luke 16:21), but even when he (the Pharisees) was being tormented in hell, he believed it was appropriate to have Lazarus (tax collectors and sinners) serve him (Luke 16:24). In the end, the Pharisees only cared about themselves. They refused to help the poor (Luke 16:20-21), and they opposed Jesus, and therefore, Jesus warns them that if they continue on their current course in life, they will end up with the same fate as the rich man (Luke 16:22-24), while the tax collectors and sinners who turn to Jesus, will join Abraham in heaven (Luke 16:23).

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