The Rich Man (Parable of Lazarus)

In one of Jesus's most vivid parables, an unnamed rich man lived in luxury every day while a poor man named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered in sores, longing for scraps from his table. Both men died: Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham's side, while the rich man went to torment in Hades. From there, he begged Abraham to send Lazarus to cool his tongue with a drop of water, but Abraham explained that a great chasm now separated them permanently, and that the rich man had already received his good things in life while Lazarus received evil. The rich man then begged Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers, but Abraham replied that if they would not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither would they be persuaded even if someone rose from the dead - a pointed foreshadowing of the response many would have to Jesus's own resurrection.

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Biography

Era: New Testament
Also Known As: Dives (traditional name, not in the text)

New Testament Parables Gospels

Did You Know?

The rich man is the only character in any parable of Jesus who speaks from beyond the grave.

Tradition calls him 'Dives' - simply the Latin word for 'rich man' from the Vulgate, mistaken over centuries for a proper name.

The parable's punchline proved prophetic: a real man named Lazarus was later raised from the dead, and the leadership responded by plotting to kill him.

Key Chapters

Luke 16 The Rich Man and Lazarus 5 min read The stark reversal of fortunes after death challenges any assumption that earthl...

Key Passages

The Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-26

The stark reversal of fortunes after death challenges any assumption that earthly wealth reflects divine favor, and warns against indifference to the suffering at one's own gate.

T¹⁹here was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

²⁰ And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, ²¹ And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; ²³ And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴ And 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 tormented in this flame. ²⁵ But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. ²⁶ And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Read full chapter: Luke 16 →

"Neither Will They Be Persuaded"

Luke 16:27-31

Abraham's closing words anticipate the religious leaders' rejection of Jesus even after he rises from the dead.

T²⁷hen he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

²⁸ For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. ²⁹ Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. ³⁰ And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. ³¹ And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.