Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16) – Parable or History?

If you grew up in Sunday School, like I did, you have probably heard about “the rich man and Lazarus.” Their story is well known because it provides us an almost palpable glimpse into the afterlife.

But did it really happen, or was it just a parable—an object lesson to teach a truth?

We find the story in Luke 16, where Jesus is teaching about the folly of trusting in riches to make things better in the afterlife.

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 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. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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.” 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. 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.” 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.” Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” 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)

In case you’re curious about “Abraham’s bosom,” this is the only place the phrase appears in the Bible. It just refers to the place where Abraham, one of the most revered saints of all time, was.

Lazarus, a poor man who had no food except what fell from the rich man’s table, went to “Abraham’s bosom,” while the rich man ended up in “Hades.”

As we look at this passage, there are two questions we will consider:

1. Is this a historical account or a parable?

2. What was Jesus teaching?

Before we look at #1, remember this: whatever our conclusion, the teaching of Jesus holds true. So, let’s begin by considering the arguments for it being a historical account, then the arguments for it being a parable, as well as the counterarguments for both.

Arguments for it being a historical account:

1. It does not claim to be a parable

The argument is that Jesus always noted when He was using a parable, and because He did not do so in this case, we are to accept it as a historical account.

This argument, however, does not stand up under scrutiny. If we investigate the other gospels, we will see that we are often told by the narrator that what Jesus said was a parable, not by Jesus Himself. That this one is not indicated to be a parable does not mean that it is not one.

2. People could not identify with it

This argument states that a parable teaches a truth by means of a true-to-life but hypothetical story, allowing people to readily identify with it. In this case, no one can identify with being in Hades, so it must be a historical account.

This argument, in my opinion, also fails under investigation. Whereas Jesus’ listeners could not identify with Hades, they could identify with the disparities between the rich and the poor and also the suffering that Lazarus endured in his lifetime. Therefore, we cannot reject its status as a parable based on the inability of people to identify with it.

3. It gives a proper name

This is likely the strongest and most popular argument in favor of this being a historical account. Why would Jesus make up a proper name if He was simply sharing a parable? It must be that He was discussing an event that actually took place in history.

The counter to this argument is that the use of a proper name does not necessarily prove that this is a historical account. It is possible that Jesus used a proper name to personalize it. Maybe there was someone standing there in the crowd named Lazarus, and Jesus wanted him to take this personally.

Notice also that the name Lazarus means “God is helper.” It could be that Jesus was demonstrating that God helped the poor man even though he had no material goods while living on earth.

Another point to consider is that the rich man’s name is not known. If Jesus gave us Lazarus’ name to prove its historical accuracy, we might think He would also provide the name of the rich man.

4. It says “a certain man”

This is also seen as one of the stronger arguments for this being a factual account. If Jesus said, “a certain man,” then it must be about a man who actually lived and this actually happened to him.

Upon further review, however, the word “certain” is, in the Greek, an indefinite pronoun. Let’s consider some other places it is used.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, (Matthew 5:23)

All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. (Matthew 11:27)

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? (Matthew 18:12)

If “a” man – this is a hypothetical situation. This word does not have to describe a specific, living person. It is akin to saying, “this one guy.”

Furthermore, in the following case it is used of a “certain king” in a story that explicitly claims to be a parable:

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, (Matthew 22:1-2)

It is also used in an interrogative form in Luke 15:4. Again, it is hypothetical.

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? (Luke 15:4)

Now, let’s consider the arguments in favor of this being a parable.

Arguments for it being a parable

1. Both men had physical bodies

Both the rich man and Lazarus are depicted as having bodies (finger, tongue) after death, but new bodies are not given until the resurrection. If this were a historical account, it does not seem likely that they could have bodies.

While it is possible that we could see the inclusion of physical attributes as an anthropomorphism, but that would cause some confusion. If Jesus is saying this really happened in history, why would He switch to symbolism in the middle of it?

2. The men could see each other and converse

The rich man and Abraham could see and talk to each other, even though there is a “great gulf fixed” between them. Does this mean that we should expect that the wicked and righteous could communicate with each other? It seems hard to fathom that the afterlife would be enjoyable if the righteous could constantly view people in torment. And, furthermore, how could they communicate over a great gulf?

It seems to me that it is possible, maybe likely, that this is a parable. Some folks, of course, disagree, assuming that would strip the Bible teaching of a literal eternal Hell. However, that does not have to be the case, as the Bible provides plenty of teaching on a literal, eternal Hell. Remember that parables were a means of teaching truth using fictional characters. If Lazarus and the rich man were fictional characters, the truth of Jesus’ teaching still remains.

So, what was Jesus teaching?

The teaching of Jesus on Hell

1. Conscious life continues after death for everyone

The rich man and Lazarus both were fully aware of their surroundings. Apparently, they could even remember their lives on earth.

2. Eternal destiny cannot be changed after death

Jesus was crystal clear: There is no way to change one’s eternal destination after death. The “great gulf” is impassible.

3. There are only two options – torment or bliss

No other options are offered—no annihilation, no Purgatory, no second chance. Every person will be in either paradise or torment, generally referred to today as Heaven or Hell.

In Heaven, there will be eternal joy in the presence of God, and in Hell, perpetual regret and loneliness.

4. Wealth is insufficient for salvation

God is not impressed with our riches.  Neither the abundance of them nor the lack of them makes any difference regarding our eternal destiny.

Final thoughts

While I think it is likely that the story of the rich man and Lazarus is a parable, the lesson of Jesus is clear. Our current lives dictate our eternal destiny, which is unalterable after death. The unrighteous will endure anguish, while the righteous will experience eternal delight.