Luke 16:19-31

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

November 14, 2001

Introduction

There are some interesting facts to keep in mind as we look into a fascinating story that Jesus will be telling.

Jesus is still at the dinner party that was held for Him by a Pharisee.

First, while at the party, Jesus had been encouraging the Pharisees to think of reaching out to people who couldn’t pay them back. He said,

(Luke 14:12-14 KJV) Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. {13} But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: {14} And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

After looking at the story that Jesus is going to tell, I kind of wonder if there might not have been “poor, maimed, lame, and blind” people just outside the gates of the Pharisees’ house. I wonder.

Second, while at the party, Jesus talked to His disciples about the subject of money. He told them that they needed to be wise in how they handled their money. He told them that they needed to learn to use their money for the sake of the kingdom, investing their money in a way that others would be brought into God’s kingdom.

As Jesus taught this, the Pharisees made fun of Jesus for saying these things because they loved their money. They lived their lives for money.

Jesus is going to have something to say to those who are trusting in their money rather than trusting in God.

Paul taught Timothy along the same lines when he wrote,

(1 Tim 6:17-19 NLT) Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. {18} Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. {19} By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.

I kind of get the idea that the mindset of Jesus’ day was that if ever there were people in heaven, there would be rich people there.

(Mat 19:23-26 NLT) Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. {24} I say it again--it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" {25} The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked. {26} Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

Jesus is now going to tell a story that I think is aimed at making a rich person think twice about feeling secure in their “wealth”.

Is this a parable or not?

Some have suggested that the language that Jesus uses is different than what He normally uses when He is giving a parable.

He doesn’t start with, “the kingdom of God is like …”.

He also will actually give the name of one of the people in the story, something He never does in any of the parables.

Why is this important?

Because it is possible that what Jesus is going to talk about is not some kind of a made-up-story for the purpose of teaching a lesson. Instead, it might actually be a historical account of an actual event.

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

rich man – plousios – wealthy, abounding in material resources

Note: Though we will be told the name of the poor man, we are never given the name of this wealthy man.

which was clothed – endidusko – to put on, clothe, to put on one’s self, be clothed in

purple – porphura – the purple fish, a species of shell fish or mussel; a fabric colored with purple dye, a garment made from purple cloth

fine linen – bussos – byssus, a species of Egyptian flax; linen made from byssus, very costly, delicate, soft, white and also of a yellow colour

His clothing tastes showed that he was a very wealthy, influential man.

fared – euphraino – to gladden, make joyful; to be glad, to be merry, to rejoice; to rejoice in, be delighted with a thing

sumptuously – lampros (from lampas, “lamp”, “shining”) – splendidly, magnificently; of sumptuous living

You could translate this, “making merry brilliantly”. This guy led a life full of what the world calls “happiness”.

every day – literally, “according to the day”.

:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

beggar – ptochos – reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms; destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour; helpless, powerless to accomplish an end; poor, needy.

The only way this man survived was through begging.

Lazarus – Lazaros – “whom God helps" (a form of the Hebrew name Eleazar).

Jesus had a friend named Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead in John 11. Is this the same individual? I don’t think so. Jesus’ friend had two sisters, Mary and Martha, and from John’s description of the family, this was not a family of beggars. Mary was able to afford (John 12:1-5) an expensive perfume worth an entire year’s wages, which she lavished upon Jesus.

was laid – ballo – to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls. The word implies a rough, angry handling of a person.

gate – pulon – a large gate: of a palace; the front part of a house, into which one enters through the gate, porch

full of sores – helkoo – to make sore, cause to ulcerate; 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.

desiring – epithumeo – to turn upon a thing; to have a desire for, long for, to desire; to lust after, covet

to be fed – chortazo – to feed with herbs, grass, hay, to fill, satisfy with food, to fatten; to fill or satisfy men; to fulfil or satisfy the desire of any one

the crumbs – psichion – a little morsel, a crumb

the dogs – kuon – a dog

licked – apoleicho – to lick off, lick up

sores – helkos – a wound, esp. a wound producing a discharge pus; a sore, an ulcer

The dogs being around Lazarus might not be the picture of the sympathetic man’s best friend as we might think. It’s possible that the picture here is that Lazarus had to compete with the dogs of the street for the scraps of food left over at the rich man’s table.

: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;

was carried – apophero – to carry off or bring away

I think there’s a picture of tenderness demonstrated here for the poor Lazarus.

(Psa 116:15 KJV) Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

bosom – kolpos – the front of the body between the arms

was buried – thapto – to bury, inter

Note: There is no mention of Lazarus being buried. It’s very likely that he, as a poor beggar, would have had his body simply thrown onto the burning trash heaps in the valley of Hinnom (called, Gehenna) outside Jerusalem.

Lesson

Heaven and hell

When a person dies, their spirit is separated from their body. The body goes into the grave, but the spirit will depart and go to another location.

Before the resurrection of Jesus, when a person died, their spirit went into a place in the center of the earth known as “Sheol” or, “ Hades”.

Sheol is a Hebrew word, meaning sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit. In the King James, the word is translated either “grave” (31 times), “hell” (31 times), or “pit” (3 times).

David talked about this –

(Psa 16:10 KJV) For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

(Psa 16:10 NASB) For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.

In Sheol, there were two “compartments”, a place for the righteous and a place for the unrighteous.

The place for the righteous is referred to as “paradise” or “Abraham’s bosom”.

Jesus said to the thief on the cross,

Lu 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

It was a place of comfort.

The place for the unrighteous is called “hell” or “Gehenna”.

It was a place of torment.

When Jesus rose from the dead, we believe a change of destinations took place for the dead.

We believe that Jesus took all those in “paradise” with Him to heaven.

(Eph 4:8-9 KJV) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

All those who have trusted in Jesus and have died since the time of the resurrection will go immediately into heaven, to be in God’s presence.

Paul wrote about what he expected to happen when he died –

(Phil 1:19-24 KJV) For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, {20} According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. {21} For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. {22} But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. {23} For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: {24} Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

He also said that to be “absent from the body” meant that a person was “present with the Lord”.

(2 Cor 5:8 KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

While a change took place for the “righteous”, the unrighteous still go to the same place, hell.

There, they are waiting for the day when they will be brought back to life and stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment, and sent forever into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20).

Lesson

Everyone dies

Don’t miss the point of this verse. Both people died. The poor man died. The wealthy man died.

Death has an amazing success rate. One out of every one people that are born, will die. There is no escaping it.

The Bible says,

(Heb 9:27 KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The question is not whether or not you will cheat death.

The question is whether or not you will be prepared to go to the right place when you die.

Lesson

How to be ready

Is it possible for a person to be absolutely sure where they will spend eternity when they die?

Isn’t it kind of presumptuous for a person to claim that they can know they are going to heaven?

Absolutely not.

We don’t gain the ability to know where we will spend eternity based upon our own pride, either in thinking that we are so good that we deserve to go to heaven, or because we think that our “religion” is better than your “religion”.

Our surety isn’t based in us, it’s based on the fact that God wants us to know for sure whether or not we will spend eternity in heaven.

John writes,

(1 John 5:11-13 KJV) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The issue on being able to know that you have eternal life hinges on whether or not you “have” the Son, on whether or not you “believe” in Jesus.

This is what Jesus Himself taught –

(John 14:6 KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Why is “believing in Jesus” essential in going to heaven?

Because Jesus is the only One who takes care of the big obstacle that keeps us from heaven, our own sin.

The Bible says that the consequences of our sin is separation from God, known as death.

(Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The Bible also says that without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness (Heb. 9:22).

Jesus died on a cross for the very purpose of offering Himself as an acceptable sacrifice to pay for the sins of the world.

John the Baptist knew this at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry –

(John 1:29 KJV) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

When we make a choice to “believe” in Jesus and “receive” God’s free gift of forgiveness, we gain eternal life.

We can KNOW we will go to heaven.

Not based on how good we are, but based SOLELY upon the fact that we are trusting Jesus to have paid for our sins.

What about people who died before Jesus? How were they saved?

God didn’t change the rules with Jesus.

It’s ALWAYS been about faith, about trusting in God.

The Bible says that we must have “faith” to be pleasing to God –

(Heb 11:6 KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The people who died before Jesus was around went to “Abraham’s Bosom” not because they were good enough on their own. They went to “Abraham’s Bosom” because they trusted in God to save them.

(Heb 11:13-16 KJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {14} For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. {15} And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. {16} But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

They may not have known that His name was Jesus. But they still trusted God, and God brought them to paradise.

It wasn’t until the actual death of Jesus, as a sacrifice for their sins, that they were then able to enter into God’s presence in heaven.

:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

hell – hades – name Hades or Pluto, the god of the lower regions; Orcus, the nether world, the realm of the dead; later use of this word: the grave, death, hell; In Biblical Greek it is associated with Orcus, the infernal regions, a dark and dismal place in the very depths of the earth, the common receptacle of disembodied spirits. Usually Hades is just the abode of the wicked, #Lu 16:23; Re 20:13,14; a very uncomfortable place. TDNT.

Here, the word “Hades” is used to describe the place of torment in Sheol.

torments – basanos – a touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by the colour of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal; the rack or instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth; torture, torment, acute pains

In this picture, the person who is in torment is actually able to see the person who is being comforted. It probably makes the torment even worse.

Note: Even though the rich man is able to see Lazarus, there is no mention of whether or not Lazarus can see the rich man.

: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.

Father Abraham – (John 8:53) this identifies the “rich man” as a Jewish person. He considers himself a “son of Abraham”. This would be rather difficult for the Pharisees to listen to.

have mercy – eleeo – to have mercy on; to help one afflicted or seeking aid; to bring help to the wretched

dip – bapto – to dip, dip in, immerse

cool – katapsucho – to cool off, make cool

I am tormented – odunao – to cause intense pain; to be in anguish, be tormented

flame – phlox – a flame

Illustration

Forgive me, but I’m going to push the limits of “good taste” for a reason.

A Texan in Hades

A Texan dies and goes to hell. While down there the Devil notices that the Texan is not suffering like the rest. He checks the gauges and sees that it’s 90 degrees and about 80% humidity. So he goes over to the Texan and asks why he’s so happy. The Texan says, “I like it here. The temperature is just like Texas in June.” The Devil isn’t happy with the Texan’s answer and decides to get him; so he goes over and turns up the temperature to 100 degrees and the humidity to 90%. After turning everything up, he goes looking for the Texan. He finds him standing around unbuttoning his shirt, just as happy as can be. The Devil quizzes the Texan again as to why he’s so happy. The Texan says, “This is even better. It’s like Texas in July.” The Devil, now upset, decides to make the Texan really suffer. He goes over to the controls and turns the heat up to 120 degrees and the humidity to 100%. “Now let’s see what the Texan is up to,” he says. So he goes looking for the Texan. He finds him taking his shirt off, even happier than before. The Devil can’t figure it out. He asks the Texan why he’s happy now. The Texan replies, “This is great, it’s just like Texas in August.” The Devil says, “That’s it, I’ll get this guy.” He goes over and turns the temperature down to a freezing 25 degrees. “Let’s see what the Texan has to say about this.” The Devil looks around and finds the Texan jumping up and down for joy and yelling, “The RANGERS must have finally won the World Series!”

While we may be tempted to laugh or chuckle at jokes like this, but the truth is, hell is no laughing matter.

Some people have this idea that they will just have an eternal party with their friends in hell. There will be no parties in hell. Only torment.

: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.

good things – agathos – of good constitution or nature; useful, salutary; good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; not such as it ought to be; base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

comforted – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.; to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort; to receive consolation, be comforted; to encourage, strengthen

tormented – odunao – to cause intense pain; to be in anguish, be tormented

remember –

Abraham asks the man to remember his life. When a person dies, they do not lose their sense of identity. They still are able to remember and think about who they are and what their life was like.

Lesson

Good and bad

For the person who rejects Jesus, this world is as good as it gets. This world is the closest that the unbeliever will get to heaven.

For the believer, this world is as bad as it gets. This world is as close to hell as the unbeliever will ever get.

: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.

gulf – chasma – a gaping opening, a chasm, a gulf

great – megas – great

fixed – sterizo – to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix

Nothing is going to make this chasm go away. Nothing can be done about it.

willing – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish

pass from – diabaino – to pass through, cross over

pass to – diaperao – to pass over, cross over, i.e. a river, a lake

hence … thence – there is no moving from one compartment of Sheol to the other.

Lesson

After death, it’s too late

After a person dies, they are judged and go to heaven or hell.

(Heb 9:27 KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The Catholic Church used to teach that you could buy “indulgences” from the church, whereby you could purchase a person’s place in heaven by paying money to the church. This is one of the reasons why Martin Luther “protested” against the teachings of the Catholic Church.

There are no more chances after death. The gulf cannot be crossed.

:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

I pray – erotao – to question; to ask; to request, entreat, beg, beseech

:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

testify – diamarturomai – to testify; earnestly, religiously to charge; to attest, testify to, solemnly affirm

This guy is asking for a really heavy, thorough witness to his brothers.

torment – basanos – a touchstone, which is a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by the colour of the streak produced on it by rubbing it with either metal; the rack or instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth; torture, torment, acute pains

:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

The Bible teaches that just the witness of God that is evident in creation is enough –

(Rom 1:20 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Here, Abraham is telling the rich man that the witness in the Bible to his Jewish family is also enough. This would be hitting especially hard to the Pharisees who are listening to Jesus.

:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

went unto – poreuomai – to lead over, carry over, transfer; to pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one’s journey

repent – metanoeo – to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent; to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins

The Rich Man now sees that the one thing that is necessary for a person is that they “repent”. He now sees that being wealthy doesn’t impress God at all.

: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.

persuaded – peitho – persuade; to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe

To me, this seems kind of prophetic.

There would be another person named Lazarus whom Jesus would raise from the dead (John 11).

The result?

(John 12:9-11 KJV) Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. {10} But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; {11} Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

There were many who believed in Jesus because of Lazarus, but there were also people who wanted to put Lazarus to death because it caused people to believe in Jesus. Does that make sense?