STORY OF LAZARUS IN BIBLE FULL

Lawrence Richards, in discussing this passage in The Victor Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, explains that Jesus used contemporary Jewish thought about the afterlife (which by this time was influenced by pagan mythology) to point out a spiritual lesson about how we view and treat others. It was never intended to be understood literally.īible language expert Dr. When we look at this account in light of other scriptures and in its historical context, it becomes apparent that this is an allegory, a familiar story of the time that Jesus uses to point out a spiritual lesson to those who knew the law but did not keep it. 'But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead'' (Luke 16:19-31). 'And he said, 'No, father Abraham but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 'Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets let them hear them.' 'Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.' 'But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things but now he is comforted and you are tormented. Then 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.' And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 'So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

STORY OF LAZARUS IN BIBLE FULL

But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Jesus presents the following story: 'There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.

Let's examine the matter, paying close attention to the historical context.

Story of lazarus in bible