Introduction
Jesus Christ taught many things through parables. One of these parables is known as the “Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus“. Many people use this parable as a basis to defend the doctrine of the immortality of the soul and life after death because they interpret it literally. In today’s study, we will explore what a parable is, its definition, how it should be interpreted, its purpose, and finally, we will analyze the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus to extract its correct interpretation.
Definition of “parable”
Let’s start with the definition of the word “parable“. What is its meaning? How do dictionaries define it?
According to the definition found in some dictionaries:
Michaelis: “Allegorical narrative that aims to convey a message indirectly, using analogy or comparison as a resource.” – Michaelis Dictionary, accessed on October 30, 2020 (link: https://michaelis.uol.com.br/moderno-portugues/busca/portugues-brasileiro/par%C3%A1bola ).
Priberam: “Allegorical narration that involves some moral precept, some important truth.” – Priberam Dictionary, accessed on October 30, 2020 (link: https://dicionario.priberam.org/par%C3%A1bola ).
And what would an allegory (“allegorical narration“) be?
Michaelis: “Form or technique of figurative representation of the abstract or imaginary world, used in the artistic and intellectual sphere, through images, figures, people, ideas or abstract qualities, so that such elements function as a disguise for the ideas presented.” – Michaelis Dictionary, accessed on October 30, 2020 (link: https://michaelis.uol.com.br/moderno-portugues/busca/portugues-brasileiro/alegoria ).
Should parables be understood literally?
Should we understand parables literally? We might ask the following questions:
- Was there really a shepherd who went out with 100 sheep, and when he lost one of them, left the 99 to look for the one that was lost (Luke 15)?
- Did the story of the prodigal son really happen (Luke 15)?
- Was there a woman who lost one of the ten coins she had, and when she found it, called her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her (Luke 15)?
- Did the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus really happen (Luke 16)?
- Was there a persistent widow who pleaded with a judge for justice, and he relented because of her persistence (Luke 18)?
- What about the landowner who went away, entrusted his wealth to his servants, and upon his return, demanded that they multiply what he had given them (Luke 19)?
I have mentioned only a few parables told by Jesus, but the Master used at least 44 parables in his teachings (considering those recorded in the Gospels). The stories in these parables are not accounts of actual events. If they were, they would not be “parables” but reports of events that truly occurred. This does not mean that similar stories have never happened. It is possible that someone could have created a parable based on a real event. However, for the most part, parables are based on situations, ideas, and themes familiar to their audience. People often adapt them by adding or omitting details to better convey the lessons or messages they want to teach.
Jesus used parables to teach many valuable lessons to his listeners. In each situation, he used a parable to communicate his teachings. Although he used many parables, they are not exclusive to him. In the Scriptures, we can find other parables used by people in the past, such as:
The Parable to Jotham:
Judges 9:7-15 – “And when he had told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hear me, ye men of Shechem, and God will hear you: for the trees went to anoint themselves a king, and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. And the olive tree said unto them, Shall I leave my fatness, which God and men prize in me, and go to wave over the trees? Then said the trees unto the fig tree, Come thou, reign over us. And the fig tree said unto them, Shall I leave my sweetness, my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Shall I leave my wine, which maketh glad God and men, and go to wave over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the thornbush, Come thou, reign over us. And the bramble said to the trees, If indeed you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: but if not, then let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon“
The Parable of the Vineyard of Israel:
Isaiah 5:1-7 – “Now I will sing to my beloved the song of my beloved concerning his vineyard. My beloved has a vineyard on a fertile hill. And he has fenced it, cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines. He has built a tower in the middle of it and also dug a winepress in it. He expected it to yield good grapes, but it yielded wild grapes. Now therefore, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, between me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done to it? Why, when I expected it to yield good grapes, has it yielded wild grapes? Now therefore I will show you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be used for pasture; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled under foot; I will make it a wasteland; it will not be pruned or dug up; but briers and thorns will grow in it. and I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but here was oppression; for righteousness, but here was a cry“
Both of the parables mentioned above were told by people in ancient times, centuries before the birth of Jesus. Prophets used parables to convey their messages. Although they did not use them as frequently as Jesus did, they still employed them to teach lessons and communicate important messages to the people of their time.
Characteristics of Parables
Notice that in Jotham’s parable, the trees seek a king for themselves. They talk among themselves in search of another tree to rule over them. They first ask the olive tree, then the fig tree, and then the vine, but all refuse. Finally, the trees turn to the thornbush and ask if it wants to become their king. The thornbush accepts but warns that if the trees do not trust in its shade, fire could come from it and consume all the cedars of Lebanon.
In the parable of Israel’s vineyard, someone tells the story of the “beloved“, who planted a vineyard and cared for it. However, instead of producing good grapes, it yielded wild grapes. In this parable, God, speaking through the prophet, asks His people what should be done with His vineyard. He then answers His own question, declaring that He will destroy the vineyard because it has not produced the expected fruit. He applies the lesson of the parable to the behavior of His people, Israel and Judah.
In both cases, the parables introduce real elements familiar to the people of that time. Everyone knew about trees, olive trees, fig trees, vines, and thorns. However, an unusual element is added to the parable-the trees are given “life” and begin to talk among themselves, even searching for a tree to rule over them! This altered reality also appears in the parable of Israel’s vineyard. It was common for people to cultivate vineyards, but in the parable, a “fertile hill” is destroyed because of the presence of “wild grapes“. These modifications serve to communicate a specific message and help the people understand its meaning.
Warning Through Parable
God Himself revealed the reason for the coming judgment upon the house of Israel and Judah. To help the people understand this, He presented it in the form of a parable. He illustrated that a vineyard producing only bad fruit should be destroyed, drawing a parallel with His people.
It is important to recognize that parables contain both real and unreal elements. While they are based on real-life situations, they are adapted with symbolic or fictional details to convey a specific lesson.
With this understanding, we will now move on to the next topic of our study: the use of parable elements as a doctrinal foundation.
Doctrines and Parables
Considering the definitions of the terms “parable” and “allegory” that we explored in the previous topic, it becomes clear that parables should not be understood literally. This was evident in the two parables we previously analyzed. Trees do not possess life like human beings, nor do they need another tree to rule over them. Likewise, fertile hills do not produce wild grapes.
The words used in a parable should not serve as the foundation for religious doctrines and beliefs. Instead, they should be understood in light of the overall message being conveyed, with the goal of extracting the essential lessons the speaker intends to teach. It is also crucial to consider the context of parables, as they are often presented within a scenario familiar to the original audience.
Narrators may construct a parable based on a true story, a fictional account, or even popular beliefs. However, the factual accuracy of the story is not the primary concern-what truly matters is the lesson being conveyed.
From a young age, we hear fictional stories designed to teach us valuable lessons. Many of these are shared with children in the form of stories, fables, or fairy tales. Who hasn’t heard such stories in their childhood? Even though they are not real, they often contain meaningful lessons for those who listen. The same is true of parables, although their primary focus is on transmitting essential moral and spiritual teachings, rather than mere entertainment like many traditional fables and tales.
For this reason, no one should use a parable as the basis for a doctrinal or religious belief. Its sole purpose is to communicate lessons and teachings to its audience.
Analysis of the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Now, we will analyze the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, as told by Jesus. This parable is recorded in Luke 16:19-31.
After reading the passage, we will identify and examine the elements present in the text, as well as the context in which the message was delivered. This will allow us to gain a clearer understanding of its meaning.
“19. Now there was a rich man, who was dressed in purple and fine linen, and lived sumptuously every day.
20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores:
21. And he longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table: and even 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: and 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: and now he is comforted, but thou art tormented.
26. And besides all this, between us and you there has been a great gulf fixed, so that those who would pass from here to you cannot, nor can those who would pass from there to us.
27. And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house,
28. For I have five brothers; that I may testify to them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29. Abraham said to him, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.”
30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31. But Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rose from the dead‘” – Luke 16:19-31
Summarizing the Above Parable
There was a rich man who lived in luxury, while a poor and suffering man named Lazarus lay at his gate. Both eventually died. The rich man was taken to hell, a place of torment with fire, while Lazarus was taken to Abraham’s bosom.
In torment, the rich man looked up and saw Abraham from a distance, with Lazarus by his side. He pleaded with Abraham to send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue, as he was suffering greatly. However, Abraham refused, explaining that in life, the rich man had received good things, while Lazarus had endured suffering.
Furthermore, Abraham told him that even if he wanted to help, it was impossible because a great chasm separated the two places.
The rich man then made a second request: that Lazarus be sent to his father’s house to warn his five brothers so they would not end up in the same place of torment. Abraham responded that they had Moses and the prophets, whose writings were sufficient as a warning. He added that if they would not listen to the Scriptures, they would not be persuaded even if someone were to rise from the dead.
Points to Consider
If we were to interpret the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus literally, we would have to consider at least the following points:
- The existence of hell as a place of eternal torment, where the unrighteous are taken to suffer forever.
- The saved righteous, like Lazarus, being taken to Abraham’s bosom as their final destination.
- The rich man still remembering his family and his life on earth, since he wanted his brothers to be warned.
- The place where Abraham and Lazarus were located being close to hell, even though separated by a great chasm.
- The Rich Man and Lazarus having physical bodies, since they are described as experiencing thirst, speaking, and being in specific locations.
As previously mentioned, interpreting this parable literally forces us to accept these details as factual. However, doing so leads to several scriptural problems and contradictions. Let us now examine and discuss each of these points in light of the broader biblical context.
Analysis of the Problems and Contradictions of the Parable
1. The existence of a “hell” as being a place of eternal torment. The unrighteous are taken to “hell” to suffer eternally in that place.
The idea of a place called “hell” where the unjust suffer eternally does not originate from the Bible but from pagan beliefs. The word “hell” in Greek is “hades“, which literally means “grave” or “the place where the dead go“. However, in Greek mythology, Hades refers to both the god of the underworld and the place of eternal torment where the dead are believed to go.
Greece was the dominant world power before Rome and its ideas, including those about the afterlife, influenced many cultures, including Jewish thought. The belief in a judgment immediately after death was common among the Jews at the time of Christ. As a result, the parable uses the popular beliefs of the time to illustrate its point, but these beliefs do not align with biblical doctrines.
While the parable shares similarities with biblical teachings, such as the judgment that everyone will face after death and the reward or condemnation based on our choices and actions, there are significant differences between Greek beliefs and biblical doctrine. Greek mythology suggests judgment happens immediately after death, while the Bible teaches that judgment will take place only after the millennium when Jesus returns to earth. Furthermore, the Bible explains that the judgment will not be eternal, as it will end after all evil is destroyed by the judgment of fire (this topic will be addressed in another study).
The idea of a place of eternal suffering contradicts the nature of a loving God. While everyone will face God’s judgment, no one will suffer forever for their sins.
Revelation 21:4 – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away“.
After the millennium, the wicked will be resurrected to face judgment, which will be executed. After this, new heavens and a new earth will be created, and God’s promise is that “there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain“. If there will be no more crying, sorrow, or pain, it is clear that all suffering will have been abolished. This directly contradicts the idea of an “eternal torment” place, as God’s promise assures the cessation of suffering. This contradiction highlights that the ideology presented in the parable cannot serve as the foundation for a doctrinal biblical belief.
2. The saved righteous, like Lazarus, are taken to “Abraham’s bosom“.
In the same way that people believed “hell“ to be the place where the wicked were taken immediately after death, the popular belief of the time also held that the righteous were taken to “Abraham’s bosom“. But where would Abraham be? He would certainly be in heaven (according to the doctrine of the immortality of the soul). However, this concept, which suggests that the righteous receive their eternal reward immediately after death, has no biblical basis.
Let us look at some examples of righteous individuals for whom the reward was promised only at the end of time, when Jesus returns:
Acts 2:29,34 – “Men and brethren, let me speak freely unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us to this day… For David ascended not into the heavens: but he himself saith, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand…“
The apostle Peter explicitly stated that David, the prophet and king, did not ascend to heaven after his death, and that his tomb remains with us to this day. Despite David’s grave sins and his subsequent repentance, he is considered righteous through Christ’s merits, but his reward will only come later, not immediately after death.
Daniel 12:13 – “But as for you, go your way until the end, for you will rest and stand up in your inheritance at the end of the days“
The prophet Daniel was also promised the inheritance of the righteous, but this would occur only at the end of days, not immediately after his death.
The same is true for all those who died in faith, as described in Hebrews:
Hebrews 11:39 – “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise“
All the righteous individuals listed in Hebrews chapter 11 gave testimony of their faith, and though they were considered children of faith (like Abraham), they did not receive the promise during their lifetimes. When will they receive the promise of inheritance? The inheritance of the righteous will be given to them only at the resurrection, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first“
This passage makes it clear that the righteous will receive their reward, not immediately after death, but on the day of Christ’s return, when the dead in Christ will be resurrected to meet Him.
3. The rich man still remembered his family and his life on earth, for he wanted his brothers to be warned.
In Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man remembered his family and wanted them to be warned. This description also contradicts what we have been taught about the state of the dead. Let us consider what the wise Solomon wrote:
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 – “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, but the memory of them is forgotten. Their love, their hatred, and their envy have already perished, and they have no more share forever in anything that is done under the sun“
Notice that Solomon explains that “the dead know nothing” and that “their memory is consigned to oblivion“. If the dead know nothing, and if their memories have been forgotten, how could the rich man in the parable remember that he had five brothers on earth? Notice that what Solomon said is clear! Those who have died no longer know anything, and everything has been forgotten by them. Yet, in the parable, the rich man still had memories of his family!
Furthermore, the rich man in the parable also showed concern and feelings for his family. He did not want his brothers to come to the same place where he was, and he wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them about their way of life. This description shows that the rich man still had feelings and showed love for his brothers. However, this description also contradicts what the wise Solomon explained when he said that the feelings of the dead have already perished, such as “their love, their hatred, and their envy“.
4. The place where Abraham and Lazarus were was near the “hell“, even if it was separated by a “great abyss“.
Although there is a “great abyss” that separated Abraham and the Rich Man in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, both were able to talk normally. Now, if heaven was the place where Abraham was, it is very strange to think that the “hell” of eternal torment is very close to heaven, practically neighbors!
The idea becomes even more concerning when we think about the possibility of the righteous being able to see and talk to people who are present in hell. If this were true, how could the saved righteous live in peace in heaven, knowing, seeing, and hearing that their loved ones are suffering and agonizing in “hell” right next door? How would you feel in Lazarus’ place when you asked him for a little water to cool your tongue? Would there be happiness in heaven with a “hell” right next door, where it would be possible to talk and dialogue with those suffering eternally? Faced with this, I imagine that the hearts of the righteous would become a hell of agony!
In addition to these contradictory and bizarre ideas that the literal understanding of the parable brings, we also have the idea of the possibility of two people being able to talk across a gap. Nowadays, it is already difficult to hear someone speaking at a distance of 10 meters from us; perhaps, when shouting, we could hear them at a little more than 50 meters. But in the parable, the distance mentioned is a “great abyss“! This is only possible in a parable story!
5. The Rich Man and Lazarus had bodies like human beings.
Although the parable does not explicitly state that they had bodies, it is implicitly evident that in the parable, the dead have human bodies, since they are presented as having eyes, fingers, tongues, and mouths. Consider also the dependence of other body parts on each of these mentioned. For example, to have a tongue, it is necessary to have a mouth; to have a mouth and eyes, it is necessary to have a face; to have a face, it is necessary to have a head; to have a head, it is necessary to have a torso; and to have fingers, it is necessary to have hands and arms attached to the body at the torso.
The idea of “spirits” and/or “souls” having human bodies is contradictory within the very belief of the “immortality of the soul” (there are variants).
God built the human body in the Garden of Eden. He molded it from clay, from the dust of the ground, as recorded in Genesis 2:7:
Genesis 2:7 – “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul“
Furthermore, the concept of “soul” in the Bible differs from the Greek concept, where it presents the “soul” of the human being as having life and leaving the human body after death. Remembering that, although I mention the pagan belief as an example, I also refer to the belief of “immortality of the soul” accepted and taught by most Christian churches! After all, people have passed this belief on to corrupt Christianity over the ages, and the numerous Christian religions have inherited it. In the biblical concept, the human being is not given a “soul” in creation or at his birth, but he becomes a “living soul” by receiving the breath of life from God.
After analyzing these 5 items, it becomes evident the numerous contradictions that we find when we interpret the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus literally. We should not base the doctrine of the “state of the dead” on this parable, because it provides no basis for biblical doctrine and belief. If we do so, we are making a serious mistake. We must study the state of the dead on the basis of the clear teachings of the biblical passages on this subject.
Well, now that we understand that the purpose of this parable was not to teach about the “state of the dead“, why then did Jesus speak such a parable?
The Purpose of the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
To properly understand the purpose of this parable, let us consider not only the entire parable but also the other teachings within the chapter itself. Before telling this parable, Jesus spoke about the faithfulness we must have in both small and great things. The Master said:
Lessons Taught by the Parable
Fidelity
Luke 16:10-11 – “Whoever is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and whoever is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. For if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will trust you with the true mammon?“
In the verse above, although the teaching is broad and does not apply only to riches, Jesus mentions as an example infidelity in “unjust riches” of this land. He leads His listeners to be concerned about being faithful in the duties we must uphold when we possess material wealth. He concludes by mentioning that we cannot have two masters, being God and Mammon (a reference to money as being a god):
You Cannot Serve Two Masters
Luke 16:13 – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon“
Obviously, Jesus is not condemning the possession of wealth, but rather the love of money and the lack of responsibility we have when possessing it before God and our neighbor. Remember that the Bible mentions countless people who were rich, possessed great wealth, and yet God considered them righteous. The problem Jesus discussed was not the possession of material goods, but our feelings, appreciation, and use of them.
In front of the listeners, there was also another group of people, the Pharisees. In this situation, this group of listeners is described as “greedy“, as we can read in the verse below:
Avarice
Luke 16:14 – “And the Pharisees, who were covetous, heard all these things, and they mocked him“
Note that the entire context is related to the love of riches, faithfulness in their use, and the greedy attitude that many were experiencing. Christ begins to narrate the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus a few verses after this presentation. Between verses 14 and the beginning of the parable in verse 19, he addresses the greed of the Pharisees, along with some questions about the Law (although the subject is not the same as the context presented).
Warning to the People
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus was intended to warn the people precisely about the judgment they would receive while living their greedy lives, in which they had riches but lived for their own good. They were surrounded by needy and destitute people, but they did not care about them. As much as the poor man wanted to eat the “crumbs falling from the table” of the rich, the rich man did not even share that with him.
In the parable told by Jesus, he hypothesizes that Lazarus, the sufferer, was resurrected to warn the rich man’s five brothers, who lived the same way. But Jesus emphasizes in his parable that even the resurrection of a dead person would not be enough to change the hearts and lives of these five brothers because they had the writings of Moses and the prophets. Even though they knew what was taught there, they did not live according to what was necessary.
They Lived in the Superficiality of Religion
The Law (writings of Moses) and the prophets were known to all Jews. They read them in all synagogues on Saturdays. Even so, many lived a superficial religious life and did not practice the essence of the commandments described there. The greedy Jews and Pharisees who were present knew very well the commandments that said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18) and “Defend the poor and the fatherless; justify the afflicted and the needy” (Psalm 82:3), but they still did not practice what the Lord had commanded them.
Furthermore, the Lord made it very clear in His Parable that even the resurrection of a dead man (Lazarus) as a warning to those five brothers would not be enough for them to believe. This part of the parable refers to the behavior that many of the Jews and Pharisees present would have had in response to the resurrection of Jesus. When the Master was resurrected, the religious leaders did not repent but instead tried to hide the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the people, claiming that His disciples had “stolen” the body! The love of riches that those people had was so great that they preferred to deny salvation (Jesus) rather than renounce all the riches they had accumulated in life.
The application of this parable goes beyond material blessings. It also applies to Israel’s spiritual pride and their attitude toward the Gentiles. But we can leave that subject for another time.
Conclusion: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus? Luke 16:19-31
Considering all the details learned in this study, we emphasize that no one should base a biblical doctrine or belief on concepts presented in the parables. These are allegorical stories intended to convey moral teachings, not foundations for biblical beliefs and doctrines. Mistakenly, many people base their belief in the immortality of the soul on this parable, that is, life after the death of the human body. But this is a mistake. The literal interpretation of the parable generates numerous problems and biblical contradictions. For this reason, we should not interpret it in this way but should only extract the lessons that the speaker of the parable is trying to convey in light of the context experienced and presented.
May God bless the reader.
