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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Sep 289 min read

What Is the Meaning of the Rich Man and Lazarus?

Updated: Sep 29

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, as recorded in Luke 16:19-31, has long been the subject of debate and interpretation. As with many of Jesus’ parables, this story was designed to teach important spiritual lessons, not necessarily to represent literal events. The question of what Jesus intended to communicate through this parable becomes crucial in understanding its meaning. Was Jesus teaching about the afterlife, or was He making a point about the spiritual conditions of two groups of people? A careful, contextual examination of the text reveals profound truths about the state of the Jewish religious leaders and the lowly people who responded to Jesus' message.



The Rich Man and Lazarus in Context: A Study of Luke 16


In the broader context of Luke 16, Jesus had been addressing issues surrounding wealth, righteousness, and the Kingdom of God. This parable, which introduces a dramatic contrast between a rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus, provides a striking picture of reversal, in line with the themes of wealth and humility found elsewhere in the chapter. The Pharisees, who were present during this discourse, had a particular disdain for Jesus’ teachings, primarily because they were “money lovers” (Luke 16:14). The narrative follows this tension by describing how the two men experienced drastic changes in their conditions, both in life and after death.


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In the story, the rich man lived in luxury, while Lazarus, a poor beggar, lay at the gate of the rich man’s home, desiring the scraps that fell from his table. In time, both men died. Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s side, while the rich man found himself in torment. From the rich man’s place of suffering, he called out to Abraham, asking him to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. However, Abraham denied the request, explaining that there was now a great chasm between them that could not be crossed.


The rich man’s plea represents the Pharisees’ refusal to accept the message of Jesus, and Lazarus’ exalted state reflects the condition of those who accepted Jesus’ message. But how should this parable be understood? Is it meant to describe literal conditions of the afterlife, or is it a symbolic representation of the Jewish religious leaders and the common people?



Understanding the Parable as a Figurative Story


One of the first things to note about this passage is that it is a parable, not a literal description of events. As with other parables Jesus taught, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) or the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the purpose of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is to communicate a spiritual truth through a symbolic story. Several factors point to this conclusion.


First, the depiction of Lazarus being carried to “Abraham’s side” and the rich man in torment does not align with the overall biblical teaching on the condition of the dead. The Scriptures consistently state that the dead are in a state of unconsciousness, awaiting the resurrection. For instance, Ecclesiastes 9:5 declares, “The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all.” Similarly, Psalm 146:4 explains that when a person dies, “his spirit departs; he returns to the earth; on that very day his thoughts perish.” The Bible does not support the idea that souls of the deceased are immediately sent to a place of torment or bliss at death.


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The imagery used in the parable—Abraham’s side, the torment of fire, and the request for a drop of water—illustrates the reversal of fortunes between the rich and the poor in a symbolic way, not a literal portrayal of the afterlife. Jesus used vivid imagery to make a point about the spiritual conditions of two groups: the wealthy, self-righteous Jewish leaders and the humble, spiritually hungry common people who accepted Jesus’ message.


Additionally, the interaction between Abraham and the rich man in Hades emphasizes the futility of trying to reverse the judgment once it is made. Jesus was using this dialogue to highlight the irreversible consequences of rejecting His message, not to provide a detailed description of life after death.



The Symbolism of the Rich Man and Lazarus: Two Groups of People

In examining the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, it becomes clear that these two characters represent two distinct groups of people in Jesus’ time. The rich man symbolizes the wealthy Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, who were characterized by their self-righteousness and love of wealth. Luke 16:14 specifically mentions that the Pharisees were “money lovers” and looked down on the common people. These leaders enjoyed a privileged position within Jewish society, symbolized by the rich man’s luxurious lifestyle and his fine clothing of purple and linen.


On the other hand, Lazarus represents the common people, especially those who were despised by the religious leaders. These humble ones responded positively to Jesus’ message, hungering for spiritual truth and righteousness. Lazarus’ desperate condition at the rich man’s gate symbolizes the lowly state of the common people, who had been spiritually neglected by the religious leaders.


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The Pharisees, in their self-righteousness, viewed the common people as ignorant and unworthy of spiritual instruction. John 7:49 captures this attitude, where the Pharisees say, “This crowd that does not know the Law is accursed.” The rich man’s refusal to help Lazarus represents the Pharisees’ failure to guide and care for the spiritual well-being of the people. Instead, they looked down on them, offering only crumbs of truth, much like the rich man who offered Lazarus nothing but the crumbs from his table.



The Great Reversal: A Drastic Change in Circumstances


Jesus’ parable illustrates a dramatic reversal of circumstances for both the rich man and Lazarus, symbolizing the spiritual shift that was taking place with the arrival of the Messiah. In the parable, Lazarus dies and is carried to Abraham’s side, a place of comfort and favor. This represents how the common people who accepted Jesus’ message found favor with God. They had been spiritually destitute, but through faith in Jesus, they were exalted and received spiritual blessings.


Conversely, the rich man also dies, but he is tormented in Hades. This reflects the judgment and spiritual demise of the Jewish religious leaders, who, despite their outward appearance of righteousness, rejected Jesus and His message. Their privileged status meant nothing in the eyes of God because they had failed to recognize the Messiah. The torment described in the parable signifies the deep anguish and distress that these religious leaders experienced as a result of their rejection of Jesus’ teachings.


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It is important to recognize that this reversal of circumstances was not merely a future event but was already beginning to take place during Jesus’ ministry. Jesus declared that “the Law and the Prophets were until John [the Baptist]; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached” (Luke 16:16). With the arrival of John and Jesus, the Kingdom of God was being announced, and those who had been neglected by the religious elite were now being offered the opportunity to enter into a new relationship with God.



The Role of Abraham in the Parable


Abraham plays a significant role in the parable, representing the father of the Jewish nation and the patriarch of faith. The fact that Lazarus is carried to Abraham’s side underscores the idea that those who accept Jesus’ message are the true children of Abraham. Jesus made this point clear in His teaching. In John 8:39, when the Pharisees claimed that Abraham was their father, Jesus responded, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did.”


The rich man, though physically descended from Abraham, is depicted as being far from him in the parable. This symbolizes the spiritual separation between the Jewish religious leaders and the faith of Abraham. Despite their claims to be Abraham’s descendants, their rejection of the Messiah placed them outside of the true faith, as demonstrated by the rich man’s inability to cross the great chasm that separated him from Lazarus.



The Great Chasm: A Permanent Divide


One of the most striking elements of the parable is the description of a great chasm that separates Lazarus from the rich man after death. This chasm represents the irreversible judgment that falls upon those who reject Jesus’ message. Once the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus and His teachings, there was no way for them to reverse the consequences of their actions.


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Abraham’s statement to the rich man emphasizes the finality of this judgment: “Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us” (Luke 16:26, UASV). This underscores the reality that there is no second chance for those who reject the gospel. The Jewish religious leaders had ample opportunity to repent and accept Jesus as the Messiah, but their stubborn refusal to do so resulted in their spiritual demise.


In contrast, those who humbly received Jesus’ message—symbolized by Lazarus—were now in a position of favor with God. They had crossed from spiritual death to spiritual life, enjoying the blessings of God’s Kingdom. This is further illustrated in Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest. Those who accepted His invitation found spiritual rest and comfort, just as Lazarus was comforted at Abraham’s side.



The Rich Man’s Plea and the Prophetic Message


The rich man’s plea for relief in the parable reflects the desperate state of the religious leaders, who were tormented by the message of Jesus and His followers. The rich man’s request for Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool his tongue symbolizes the religious leaders’ desire for some form of relief from the fiery judgment that was looming over them. However, this relief was denied because they had failed to heed the warnings of the Law and the Prophets.


Abraham’s response to the rich man points to the importance of the prophetic message that had been given to the Jewish people throughout their history: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29, UASV). The rich man’s request for a miraculous sign to warn his brothers is met with the same response: “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31, UASV).


This statement is a clear indictment of the Jewish religious leaders, who had the Scriptures available to them but refused to listen. Even the resurrection of Jesus would not convince them of the truth if they continued to harden their hearts against the message of salvation. This refusal to accept the clear testimony of Scripture foreshadowed the continued rejection of Jesus by many of the religious authorities, even after His resurrection.



Conclusion: The Spiritual Reversal in the Kingdom of God


The parable of the rich man and Lazarus stands as a powerful illustration of the reversal of spiritual fortunes that took place with the coming of Jesus. The proud Jewish religious leaders, represented by the rich man, were judged for their rejection of the Messiah, while the humble common people, represented by Lazarus, were exalted through their acceptance of the gospel. This parable serves as a warning to all who place their trust in earthly wealth and status, rather than in the message of salvation found in Jesus Christ.


The ultimate message of this parable is that spiritual privilege and earthly wealth mean nothing if one rejects the truth of God’s Word. Jesus’ message was clear: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11, UASV). Those who respond to the gospel with humility and faith will find themselves in a place of eternal comfort, while those who reject it will face a chasm of separation from God that can never be crossed.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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