Lazarus and the Rich Man: Proof of Heaven and Hell?
Many interpret one of Jesus' parables to mean that people have immortal
souls that go to heaven or hell immediately at death. But does this parable
really say that? Let's examine the matter, paying close attention to the
historical context.
Jesus presents the following story: "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).
