Lazarus the Beggar

Portrait of Lazarus the Beggar

Lazarus the Beggar appears in Jesus' parable recorded in Luke 16:19-31 as a destitute man covered in sores who lay at the gate of a rich man, longing for scraps from his table. After both men died, angels carried Lazarus to a place of comfort beside Abraham, while the rich man suffered torment in Hades and begged for relief or a warning to his living brothers. Abraham explained that a great chasm separated them and that the brothers already possessed the teachings of Moses and the Prophets. The account illustrates the reversal of fortunes after death, the consequences of ignoring the needy, and the finality of judgment based on one's response to Scripture.

0:00

Biography

Occupation
Beggar (parable character)
Era
New Testament (c. AD 30)
New Testament New Testament Era Luke

Did You Know?

1

The name Lazarus derives from Eleazar, meaning "God helps," creating ironic contrast with his earthly suffering and ultimate comfort in the afterlife as described in Luke 16.

2

This is the sole parable in the Gospels where Jesus assigns a personal name to a character, elevating the destitute beggar above the unnamed rich man whose fate receives less emphasis.

3

"Abraham's bosom" reflects first-century Jewish imagery of the righteous dead reclining in honor at a heavenly banquet beside the patriarch, drawn from contemporary texts like 4 Maccabees.

4

Dogs licking Lazarus's sores highlights his ritual impurity and isolation, since stray dogs were viewed as unclean scavengers in Jewish society, though ancient folklore sometimes attributed mild healing effects to their saliva.

5

The parable's closing warning that the unrepentant would ignore even a resurrection from the dead foreshadows reactions to Jesus' own rising and critiques reliance on miracles over Torah observance.

Key Passages

Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-31

This parable shows that how we respond to the poor and heed Scripture reveals our hearts and shapes our eternal future.

T19here was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich manโ€™s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abrahamโ€™s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 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. 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. 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. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my fatherโ€™s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 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.

Read full chapter: Luke 16 โ†’

Related

Characters

Places