6 Reasons Why the Rich Man and Lazarus is a Real Story and Not a Parable

Truth be told, of all the narratives that Jesus recounted in the Gospels, the account of the rich man and Lazarus has been the most debated regarding its classification as fictitious or factual.

One important reason why this has been so, has to do with the information it presents about life after death.

Skeptics, atheists and certain christian sects (who do not believe in eternal punishment or who do not think the account gives useful hints about the hereafter), have debunked it as a mere parable. On the other hand, a number of mainstream christian voices, have highlighted it as a veritable passage to reference in understanding eternal destinations and related themes.

I believe that a careful, diligent, unbiased, open-minded examination of the account – especially in the light of all the parables Of Jesus’, will result in a conclusion that what He said about the rich man and Lazarus was true.

I have highlighted six reasons why I am convinced this is so.

Let’s consider them.

#1. Lazarus Was a Named Character

One of the key differentiators between a parable and a real story is the mention of an actual name. In all the parables of Jesus, there was no instance where the name of a person was mentioned; all the characters were nameless, identified only by titles or descriptive terms. However, in this narrative, one of the main characters has a name.

Scripture says, “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” (Luke 16:19-20).

This fact definitely sets this narrative outside the borders of a parable.

#2. Abraham is a Real Historical Figure

The mention of Abraham in the narrative lends further credence to the fact that it couldn’t have been a parable, for two reasons.

First, Abraham is the second named character in the narrative. If there was ever any query about the mention of Lazarus’ name and the arguement advanced with it, the addition of Abraham’s name simply puts that to rest.

More importantly however, Abraham is not just a named character, he is a real historical personality. There is no scholar – ancient or contemporary, who would argue against the fact that Abraham walked this planet.

This reality further advances this narrative as a real historical account, for, if Abraham, a real historical figure participated in the proceedings, then the events must have truly happened.

#3. The Definitive Mention of Angels

Usually, in His parables, Jesus doesn’t make a direct reference to angels. He often uses a symbolism. We see two clear examples in the parable of the net and the parable of the weeds.

In Matthew 13:47-48 (KJV), Scripture says, Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

That’s the parable of the net.

Now, let’s see the interpretation.

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49-50 KJV)

Next is the parable of the Weeds.

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24-30 KJV)

Let’s see how Jesus’ interpreted it.

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:37-43 KJV)

Unlike these parables, in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus’ mentioned angels without using symbolism or cryptic language.

Luke 16:22 says, 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. (KJV)

That Jesus mentioned the angels directly as against his usual practice in his parables, tells us that this is more than a parable.

#4. Moses and the Prophets

Moses and the Prophets was a phrase used to refer to the 5 books of Moses and the writings of the Prophets.

Essentially, it was a way of referring to the entire old testament scripture, which was simply the Hebrew Bible at the time of Jesus.

The mention of Moses and the prophets in this narrative positions it as a true story for two reasons.

First, Moses and the Prophets as explained above, refer to actual historical documents. The people of Israel knew the writings and they could read from it and hear it been read to them in their synagogues.

It will interest you to know that there is none of the Parables of Jesus that makes an indirect reference to a historical document, let alone a direct mention as seen in this account.

These definitely tells a lot about where this narrative leans toward.

Meanwhile, in the story, it was Abraham, who lived before Moses and the Prophets, who was admonishing the Rich Man about the scripture. Of course, Abraham could access that knowledge now, by virtue of his current supernatural state.

The interesting thing is that the rich man understood what Abraham meant by Moses and the Prophets – it didn’t sound strange, cryptic or surprising to him. If it did, he would have asked Abraham.

That suggests, that he knew about it while he was alive and probably ignored it, that’s presumably why he also concluded that his brothers who are alive and also know about the scripture, wouldn’t heed as well. Hence, the request for Lazarus to go to them from the dead.

The point is, with Moses and the Prophets at the centre, the connecting dots of the conversation between Abraham and the rich man are too real (and perhaps, complex) for a parable. Abraham, the rich man and his five brothers, from different generations; and from different divides of reality, can all relate to Moses and the Prophets, simply because it was real.

That tells us that the narrative couldn’t have been a mere parable. No parable of Jesus, evokes such scenario.

#5. The Mention of Hell

There are certain parables of Jesus where punishment and eternal destinations of the unrighteous were highlighted.

It is interesting to observe that in all of them, Jesus did not directly mention actual locations like, hell. He only used descriptions or symbolisms, which is actually expected of a parable.

Let’s take a look at four of them.

In the parable of the wedding banquet, Scripture says,

Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son… And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:1,2; 12,13)

In the parable of the talents, we see something similar.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods… For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14, 29,30)

In both instances, the characters were cast into outer darkness, where there’ll be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Meanwhile, in the parable of the net, we are told that the wicked were cast into a furnace of fire where there’ll be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:47-50, while in the parable of the wheat and tares, the tares are gathered and burned in fire. Jesus interpreted that to mean that the unrighteous were cast into a furnace of fire where there’ll be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

However, in the account of the rich man and Lazarus, mention is made of hell.

Luke 16:22-23 says,

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

The mere fact that Jesus when recounting this narrative, didn’t use any of outer darkness, furnace of fire or burned in fire but rather chose to mention he’ll directly, shows that account was more than a parable.

It definitely was a real story.

#6. The Conversation Between the Rich Man and Abraham

In addition to what has been said above, we find that the interesting dialogue that ensued between the rich man and Abraham also gives us certain clues that makes the narrative less of a parable and more of a real story.

It is curious that the man referred to Abraham as Father.

First, this suggests that the man must have been a typical well-schooled Jew who knew who Abraham was, for the Jews indeed consider Abraham as their father and so venerate him.

Second, and most importantly, it suggests a generational gap. The man must have lived at least 6 generations after Abraham (if we consider that the Israelites really started referring to Abraham as Father during Moses’ time; and if we figure out that Moses is the 6th generation from Abraham) or at most several centuries after Abraham (that is, if perhaps the rich man lived in or just before Jesus’ day).

Now, here’s the thing: no parable of Jesus accommodated a generational gap, wide or small!

Another interesting thing about their dialogue is how the rich man at some point requested that Lazarus be sent back to earth so his folks would avoid journeying down to where he was.

Apart from this narrative, no other parable of Jesus touches the topic of the dead rising again (so explicitly) – even though a good number of them border on judgement, rewards and eternal destinations.

Of a truth, there can be no doubt that the dialogue between the rich man and Lazarus further stretches this narrative beyond the borders of a parable.

Putting it All Together

Careful deductions from this narrative considered on their own merit alone would already tilt one towards concluding it a real story.

It becomes an even more difficult – if unreasonable – path to tow, if one were to still conclude it a parable, after examining these deductions in the light of the several parables of Jesus.

The difference is clear; and we need not struggle with it.

---

If you enjoyed reading this post and found it valuable, kindly share, so some others may benefit from it too.

---

See Also

Why Some Difficulties Are Good for You

Is Fasting Necessary for Christians Today?

What it Really Means to Forgive and Forget

Why God Confused the People’s Language at Babel

Did Jesus Really Die in Jerusalem As He Said He Would?

20 Compelling Things Jesus Said That Affirm His Divinity 

How Did Aaron’s Long Rod Fit Into a Small Ark of Covenant?

9 Reasons Why You Should Take Leadership Roles Seriously

What it Really Means to Give to Caesar What Belongs to Caesar

Bible Contradictions: What Was Actually in the Ark of Covenant?

Why a Good God Allowed Evil Befall His Beloved: The Curious Story of Job

---

 Ogaga Eruteya is a Nigerian Christian minister, writer and speaker. He writes on Faith, Personal Development, Youth Development, and Life Realities. With his words, he seeks to inspire, motivate, propagate life’s truths and represent a sincere Christian voice. Learn more about Ogaga here.