Featured Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man

Robertson in his harmony places the next chronological item after the account of Laz. as the raising of Laz. Imagine people hearing his account of sheol etc. one day then the next thing they hear/see is the literal raising of Laz.

 

Parables never actually used the personal name of a person, or his/her national identity. It also didn't use the phrase "a certain man." This story recounted by Jesus uses both. Therefore, this is a true story.

Excellent question! Though I struggled with this for some time after the first occasion I read it, I've come to the conclusion over the years that He actually allowed a veil of sorts to be opened up between heaven and hell so the conversation between Abraham and the "certain rich man" could take place. I'm sure it quickly closed again, because how could those in heaven be expected to enjoy the praise and worship of God if they could see and hear the suffering of those in hell?

You no doubt noticed I called "Paradise" and "Hades" heaven and hell here. That's because there is no evidence to suggest there are "temporary abodes" for either sinner or saint once they've passed from this mortal coil. In fact, Jewish tradition is that Paradise is heaven. Hades is an exact depiction of the fire-and-brimstone existence of those condemned to suffer for eternity. Another indication of this is that Hades does not "turn into" the Lake of Fire, it is actually, physically cast into the Lake of Fire.

Too true. :thumbsup:

 

Lazarus was a type of those resting in West Virginia and the rich man in Kentucky...

In all seriousness, I take this account as an actual occurance...

 

It isn't a parable. It's a description of a real, literal event.

 

[Post removed - warning issued and reminder to all to try to stay on topic and off attacks on other brothers and sisters]

 

Thank you for that.

 

What is this???????

Someone teaching the "gap theory?" :tongue3:

The important part of the story is not what happened to either character, but what Christ said about the unbelief of the kin.

That they wouldn't believe even if one raised from the dead.

Is that not prophetic as to the condition of the typical human?

Such not only deny the resurrection, but work all manner of deceit to discount the credible eye witness testimony, too.

 

Oh, yes...

Very good point.

Consider this was told by Jesus just a very short time - just a couple weeks at most - prior to Jesus' Crucifixion. On the third day following, Jesus rose from death and the Pharisees (who were part of the audience of the parable) STILL DIDN'T BELIEVE!

 

That's why this passage was actually one of the Bible verses God used to get me out of the WoF movement.

 

It's not a parable.

if it was there would be no reason for using the name Lazarus.

Seriously doesn't it ever cross your mind that in every parable Jesus never used names? this is a true story.

 

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/ivp-nt/Parable-Rich-Man-Lazarus

 

I agree quantumfaith.

Just because it uses a name does not remove it from being a parable or not.

Those posting "It's not a parable" have no more right to declare it not a parable, than the prodigal son.

By definition ALL stories presented by the Lord Jesus Christ ARE parables. They are simple stories, in the use by the Lord Jesus Christ they are ALL true stories, that present an illustration of a truth.

Parables are separated from fable ONLY in the matter that ALL parables involve humankind - not animals or plants.

When a preacher tells a story as an illustration of a spiritual truth, they are using a parable.

But frankly, it really doesn't matter.

 

I believe the story is a parable, the gap is not real. The rich man was in hell and the beggar in Heaven. There is no communication between heaven and hell. Furthermore, who in heaven would want to go to hell? {Verse16:26} The purpose of the parable is to show the Jews that they will not believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah even if He is resurrected.

Luke 16:26-31
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.
27. Then 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.

 

Since we've taken up re-flagellating the deceased equine....

Whenever Luke introduces a parable of Jesus, he uses the phrase "A certain man," which is exactly what the Greek here says.

Also, the "story" wasn't original to Jesus. A very similar story is told in Jewish folklore about a man named Bar Ma‘jan. The folk tale is Egyptian in origin. Jesus makes certain, important, changes in the story--like giving Lazarus a name and denying the rich man a name (the rich man in the Egyptian tale was named Bar Ma‘jan). It's likely that the folk tale had "evolved" a bit from it's original Egyptian roots and had become more Jewish sounding.

But, it is a parable.

The Archangel

 

I think it is a parable

 

It is referred to by Jesus, in some ancient manuscripts, as a parable.

 

I should mention....

If we are seeking to be expositors of God's Word, we should be making Jesus' main point (in the passage) our main point as well.

Jesus' intention isn't to teach a fully-developed doctrine of hell or a fully-developed doctrine of "paradise" before heaven. His point is to confront the Pharisees' prejudices, as is often the case.

So, in some sense, it doesn't matter whether it is a parable or a true story. But, all textual signs point to it being a parable.

But, because it is a parable the details can't really be pressed too far without doing violence to the text an Jesus' intent in sharing the parable.

The Archangel

 

Baloney, it is not teaching inability, but Jesus was saying they have Moses and the prophets, which is the word of God. If you do not believe the word of God, then you will not believe any other evidence, including a person rising from the dead.

The word of God is all man needs to believe. God has given us his word, and he expects us to believe it. We are not to seek signs and wonders.

Jesus did not say the brothers are unable to believe, you are inserting your presuppositions into scripture.