LUKE 16:19–31, THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
THE REVERSAL OF DESTINY AND THE URGENCY OF CONVERSION THROUGH CHARITY
Introduction
This powerful parable is spoken by Jesus in the context of his ongoing confrontation with the Pharisees, who loved money and ridiculed him for his concern for sinners and the poor. Having already exposed the danger of serving mammon instead of God, Jesus now presents a dramatic narrative that unmasks the illusion of religious security based on wealth, status, or lineage. Through the stark contrast between a nameless rich man and a suffering beggar called Lazarus, Jesus reveals how earthly choices echo into eternity. The parable is not merely about the afterlife but about life before death—about how the Law and the Prophets demand a response of mercy here and now. The mention of the five brothers extends the message to those still living, including the Pharisees and every listener who has time to repent.
Bible Passage (Luke 16:19–31)
Once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. At his gate lay Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, who longed to eat just the scraps falling from the rich man’s table. Dogs used to come and lick his sores. Eventually the poor man died and angels carried him to take his place with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. From hell where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham afar off, and with him Lazarus by his side. He called out: father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue with it, for I suffer so much in this fire. Abraham replied: my son, remember that you enjoyed your good things in your lifetime, while Lazarus suffered misfortune. Now he is in comfort and you are in agony. But that is not all. Between your place and ours a great chasm has been fixed, so that no one can cross over from here to you or from your side to us. The rich man implored him once more: then I beg you, father Abraham, to send Lazarus to my father’s house where my five brothers live. Let him warn them so that they may not end up in this place of torment. Abraham replied: they have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them. But the rich man said: no, father Abraham. But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent. Abraham said: if they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.
Background
This parable belongs to the central teaching section of the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus exposes false security rooted in wealth, privilege, and external religiosity. It follows Jesus’ warnings about money and fidelity to God and precedes further teachings on repentance and judgment. The Old Testament background includes the prophetic insistence on care for the poor, the covenant responsibility of Israel, and the belief in divine justice beyond death. Abraham represents covenant faithfulness, while Moses and the prophets summarize God’s revealed will.
Opening Life Connection
In every age, people are tempted to measure success by comfort, status, and visible blessing. It is easy to become blind to suffering that lies just outside our doors. Jesus invites us to reflect on those we pass by daily—the poor, the sick, the ignored—and to ask whether our lifestyles align with the compassion God desires.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
The parable opens with “once there was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day”, portraying excess, luxury, and self-indulgence. His wealth isolates him from compassion. In contrast, “at his gate lay Lazarus”, a man named and known by God, reminding us that God remembers those whom society forgets.
Lazarus “longed to eat just the scraps”, placing him beneath even household animals, while “dogs used to come and lick his sores”, intensifying his humiliation and suffering. When death comes, the world’s values collapse: “angels carried him” while the rich man is merely buried.
From torment, the rich man pleads, “have pity on me”, discovering too late the mercy he never showed. Abraham’s reply, “remember that you enjoyed your good things”, reveals that judgment is rooted in remembered choices. The fixed divide—“a great chasm has been fixed”—underscores the finality of death.
The second movement shifts toward urgency for the living. The rich man begs that Lazarus warn “my five brothers”, but Abraham insists, “they have Moses and the prophets”. The final warning—“they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead”—anticipates the rejection of Jesus’ resurrection.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
Purple garments and fine linen signified royalty, priestly status, and immense wealth in the ancient world. Beggars were often considered cursed. “Abraham’s bosom” expressed the Jewish hope of rest for the righteous. The belief that the dead could not cross between realms reinforced the urgency of repentance in this life. Jesus uses familiar imagery to challenge distorted interpretations of covenant privilege.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church teaches that indifference to the poor is a grave moral failure. Earthly goods are entrusted for the common good. Salvation involves faith expressed through charity. This parable supports the Church’s teaching on judgment, the preferential option for the poor, and the inseparable link between love of God and love of neighbor, as emphasized in the Catechism.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint John Chrysostom preached that the rich man was condemned not for cruelty but for neglect. He warned that passing by the poor without compassion is a silent but deadly sin, for Christ himself waits in the suffering neighbor.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel calls Christians to examine lifestyles, spending habits, and priorities. Families are invited to practice generosity, parishes to foster social concern, and societies to resist structures of indifference. The poor are not a problem to avoid but a sacrament of Christ’s presence.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, Christ gives himself as true food for the hungry. Receiving the Body of Christ commits us to recognize and serve Christ in the poor. The altar sends us forth to bridge the gap between faith and charity before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Earthly comfort without compassion leads to spiritual blindness.
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Conversion requires concrete acts of mercy toward the poor.
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God’s justice remembers how we used what was entrusted to us.
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The Word of God already gives all that is needed for repentance.
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Today is the time to live charity before tomorrow becomes too late.
Outline for Preachers
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Context of Jesus’ teaching against love of money
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Life experience of comfort and neglect of suffering
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Key phrases explained: purple garments, Abraham’s bosom, chasm
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Jewish understanding of wealth, poverty, and afterlife
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Catholic teaching on charity, judgment, and stewardship
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Saintly witness on care for the poor
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Application to modern Christian life
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Eucharist as food for love and mission
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Central message and call to conversion
