Rich Man & Lazarus No Parable

Luke 16:16 - The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

John the Baptist the last prophet of the Old Testament era. Compare John 1:17. Same note at Matthew 11:13.

Luke 16:19-31 - The rich man and Lazarus.

Reasons why this is a true account, not a parable:

1. Describes things outside human experience, like hell. Parables are used to relate human experience to spiritual things. This does not.


2. Names a character (Lazarus). No parable does.


3. Involves historical figure, Abraham. No parable does.


4. Mentions places of the dead and state of existence after death. No parable does.


5. Involves angels. No parable does.


6. If only a parable and there really is no Hades, then this the only parable where Jesus teaches error. God forbid!

Above paraphrased to fit in Bible margin, taken from article by Middletown Bible Church, Middletown, CT. Link to their article.

Luke 16:24-25 - "And he cried and said, Father Abraham.... But Abraham said, Son," to the unsaved rich man.

Compare Luke 3:8; Galatians 3:7.

Luke 16:31 - And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Still not persuaded though One did! Acts 4:2; Acts 4:15-18; etc. This verse and this account a strong argument against all these "back from heaven or hell" stories that are gaining popularity.

VM