Luke 16:19-31 Meaning

Luke 16:26 Direct teaching

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.

Luke 16:24 Direct teaching

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.

Luke 16:28 Direct teaching

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Luke 16:30 Direct teaching

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

...xplain the next parable, about the rich man tormented in hell and the poor man resting in Abraham's bosom. Luke 16:19-31 For this passage, so far as its wording goes, comes before us suddenly. But if we consider its sense and purpose, it naturally fits with the mention of John wickedly slain, and of Herod, who had been condemned by him for his ungodly marriage. It sets out in bold outline the end of both of them, the torments of Herod and the comfort of John, so that even now Herod might hear that warning: "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." Luke 16:29 Marcion, however, violently twists the passage to another end. He decides that both the torment and the comfort are retributions of the Creator, reserved in the next life for those who obeyed the law and the prophets. But he says that the heavenly bosom and harbor belong to Christ and to his own god. Our answer is that the Scripture itself, which dazzles his sight, plainly distinguishes between Abraham's bosom, where the poor man dwells, and the infernal place of torment. Hell, I take it, means one thing, and Abraham's bosom another. A great gulf is said to separate those regions and to hinder passage from one

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

... lick his sores. Luke 16:22 And it happened that the poor man died, and the angels carried him into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died and was buried. Luke 16:23 And while he was being tormented in Hades, he lifted up his eyes from afar and saw Abraham, with Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:24 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘My father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to wet the tip of his finger with water and moisten my tongue for me, for behold, I am burning in this flame.’ Luke 16:25 Abraham said to him, ‘My son, remember that you received your good things in your life, and Lazarus his afflictions. But now, behold, he is at rest here, and you are tormented. Luke 16:26 And besides all this, there is a great abyss set between us and you, so that those who would cross to you from here cannot, nor can they cross from there to us.’ Luke 16:27 He said to him, ‘Then I beg you, my father, to send him to my father's house, Luke 16:28 for I have five brothers. Let him go, so that they also may not sin and come to this place of torment.’ Luke 16:29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ Luke 16:30 He said to him, ‘No,

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

Luke 16:25 Abraham said to him, My son, remember that you received your good things in your life, and Lazarus his afflictions: 21 but now, behold, he is at rest here, and you are tormented.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

Luke 16:22 And it happened that that poor man died, and the angels conveyed him into the bosom of Abraham: and the 18 rich man also died, and was buried.

Tatian, The Diatessaron Direct teaching

Luke 16:23 And while he was being tormented in Hades, 19 he lifted up his eyes from afar, and saw Abraham with Lazarus in his bosom.

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Supporting witness

For this reason, the guards of Hades trembled when they saw Him, and the bronze gates and iron bars were broken. For look, the Only-begotten entered, a soul among souls, God the Word with a human soul. For His body lay in the tomb, not emptied of divinity. But just as, while in Hades, He was in His essential being with His Father, so He was also in the body and in Hades. For the Son is not confined by space, just like the Father, and He contains all things in Himself. But by His own will He lived in a body made alive by a soul, so that with His soul He might enter Hades, and not with His pure divinity.

Origen, Commentary on John Supporting witness

...en the Son of God takes flesh and bones, is one of His sandals. I think the other is the descent to Hades, whatever that Hades may be, and the journey with the Spirit to the prison. As for the descent into Hades, we read in Psalm 16, "You will not leave my soul in Hades," and as for the journey to the prison with the Spirit, we read in Peter's Catholic Epistle, 1 Peter 3:18-20, "Put to death," he says, "in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit; in which also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, which at one time were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God once waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared." He, then, who is able rightly to explain the meaning of these two journeys is able to untie the strap of the sandals of Jesus. He does this by bending down in his mind and going with Jesus as He goes down into Hades, and by descending from heaven and from the mysteries of Christ's deity to the coming that He necessarily made among us when He took on man, as His sandals. Now He who put on man also put on the dead, for Romans 14:9 says, "For this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." This is why

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...e merciful and gracious to him, and give him his lot in the land of the pious who are sent into the bosom of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with all those who have pleased Him and done His will from the beginning of the world, from where all sorrow, grief, and lamentation are banished. Let us arise. Let us dedicate ourselves and one another to the eternal God, through that Word which was in the beginning. And let the bishop say: O You who are by nature immortal and have no end to Your being, from whom every creature, whether immortal or mortal, is derived; who made man a rational creature, a citizen of this world, in his constitution mortal, and added the promise of a resurrection; who did not allow Enoch and Elijah to taste death: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, who are the God of them, not of the dead, but of living persons. For the souls of all men live with You, and the spirits of the righteous are in Your hand, which no torment can touch; Matthew 22:32; Wisdom 3:1. For they are all sanctified under Your hand. Do You now also look upon this Your servant, whom You have selected and received into another state, and forgive him if he has sinned voluntari

Luke 16:23 Direct teaching

And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:22 Direct teaching

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;

Luke 16:25 Direct teaching

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.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

This region, therefore, I call Abraham's bosom. Although it is not in heaven, it is yet higher than hell, and is appointed to afford an interval of rest to the souls of the righteous, until the consummation of all things shall complete the resurrection of all men with the full recompense of their reward.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Hell (I take it) means one thing, and Abraham's bosom another.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Our answer to this is, that the Scripture itself which dazzles his sight expressly distinguishes between Abraham's bosom, where the poor man dwells, and the infernal place of torment.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness

...e deeds they did in this life, from which they have now ceased, as shown in the narrative about the rich man and Lazarus who found rest in the bosom of Abraham. In this account, He states that Dives recognized Lazarus after death, and Abraham in the same way, and that each of these individuals remained in their proper place, with Dives requesting Lazarus to be sent to relieve him—Lazarus, on whom he did not previously bestow even the crumbs from his table. He also tells us of the answer given by Abraham, who was aware not only of matters concerning himself but also of those concerning Dives, instructing those who did not wish to enter that place of torment to believe Moses and the prophets and to accept the teaching of Him who was to rise again from the dead. By these things, it is clearly declared that souls continue to exist, do not pass from body to body, possess the human form so they may be recognized, and retain the memory of things in this world; moreover, that Abraham possessed the gift of prophecy, and that each class of souls receives a dwelling according to what it has deserved, even before the judgment.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness

[He tells us] also of the answer given by Abraham, who was acquainted not only with what respected himself, but Dives also, and who enjoined those who did not wish to come into that place of torment to believe Moses and the prophets, and to receive the preaching of Him who was to rise again from the dead.

Peter of Alexandria, The Genuine Acts of Peter Supporting witness

But the rich man in torment, and the poor man who was comforted in the bosom of Abraham, are said, the one to be punished in Hades, and the other to be comforted in Abraham's bosom, before the appearing of the Saviour, and before the end of the world, and therefore before the resurrection;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

Matthew 12:34-35 Whence also that rich sinner who implores help from Lazarus, then laid in Abraham's bosom, and established in a place of comfort, while he, writhing in torments, is consumed by the heats of burning flame, suffers most punishment of all parts of his body in his mouth and his tongue, because doubtless in his mouth and his tongue he had most sinned.

Hippolytus, Against Plato Supporting witness

...as they wait for the rest and eternal revival in heaven that comes after this place. And we call it Abraham's bosom. But the unrighteous are dragged to the left by angels who are ministers of punishment. They no longer go willingly, but are dragged by force like prisoners. And the angels appointed over them send them onward, reproaching them and threatening them with a terrifying look, forcing them down into the lower parts. And when they are brought there, those appointed for that service drag them on to the borders of hell. And those who are so near hear constant turmoil and feel the hot smoke. And when that sight is near, as they see the terrible and intensely blazing appearance of the fire, they shudder in horror at the expectation of the future judgment, as if they were already feeling the power of their punishment. And again, when they see the place of the fathers and the righteous, they are also punished there. For a deep and vast abyss has been set there in the middle, so that none of the righteous can cross it out of sympathy, and none of the unrighteous dares to cross it.

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

23. For perhaps as those who, departing this world in virtue of that death which is common to all, are arranged, in conformity with their actions and deserts — according as they shall be deemed worthy — some in the place which is called hell, others in the bosom of Abraham, and in different localities or mansions;

Luke 16:19 Direct teaching

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.

Luke 16:20 Direct teaching

And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

Luke 16:21 Direct teaching

And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

... But the image is another thing. What does the parable of Lazarus mean, by showing the image of the rich and poor? And what does the saying mean, "No man can serve two masters, God and Mammon?" The Lord so calling the love of money. For example, the covetous, who were invited, did not answer the invitation to the supper, not because they possessed property, but because of their excessive affection for what they possessed. "The foxes, then, have holes." He called those evil and earthly men, who are occupied with wealth mined and dug from the ground, "foxes." So also, in reference to Herod: "Go, tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out devils, and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected,'" Luke 13:32. For He applied the name "birds of the air" to those who were distinct from the other birds, those truly pure ones, those who have the power of flying to the knowledge of the heavenly Word. For not only riches, but also honor, marriage, and poverty, bring ten thousand cares to the person who is unfit for them. And He pointed to those cares in the parable of the fourfold seed, when He said that the seed of the word which fell among the thorns and hedges was c

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...g except to be burned with fire. "There was a certain man," said the Lord, telling the story, "very rich, who was clothed in purple and scarlet, enjoying himself splendidly every day." This was the hay. "And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at the rich man's gate, full of sores, desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table." This is the grass. Well, the rich man was punished in Hades, made a partaker of the fire, while the other flourished again in the Father's bosom. I admire that ancient city of the Lacedaemonians, which allowed only harlots to wear flowered clothes and ornaments of gold, forbidding respectable women from love of ornament, and allowing only courtesans to deck themselves. On the other hand, the archons of the Athenians, who affected a polished mode of life, forgetting their manhood, wore tunics reaching to the feet, and had on the crobulus, a kind of knot of the hair, adorned with a fastening of golden grasshoppers, supposedly to show their origin from the soil, in the display of licentiousness. Now the rivalry of these archons spread also to the other Ionians, whom Homer, to show their effeminacy, calls "Long-robed." Those

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

...rable to the Creator's interests. Then, on the admission just mentioned, since the woe aimed at the rich belongs to the Creator, it follows that it is not Christ, but the Creator, who is angry with the rich, while Christ approves the motives of the rich. I mean their pride, their pomp, their love of the world, and their contempt of God, because of which they deserve the Creator's woe. But how can it be that the condemnation of the rich does not come from the same God who just before expressed approval of the poor? Nobody but the same one condemns the opposite of what he has approved. Therefore, if the woe pronounced against the rich is assigned to the Creator, then the promise of blessing on the poor must also be claimed for Him. And thus the entire work of the Creator is attributed to Christ. But if the blessing of the poor is assigned to Marcion's god, then the curse of the rich must also be assigned to him. In that case, he will become the Creator's equal, both good and judicial. Then there will be no room left for that distinction by which two gods are made. And when this distinction is removed, the truth remains, which declares that the Creator is the one and only God. Ther

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

...with deep darkness and shadowed by night, so you do not see the needy and poor. You are wealthy and rich, and do you think that you celebrate the Lord's Supper? Not at all. You do not consider the offering. You come to the Lord's Supper without a sacrifice, and yet you take part in the sacrifice that the poor man has offered. Consider in the Gospel the widow who remembered the heavenly commands. Even in the troubles and tightness of poverty, she did good by putting two mites, which were all that she had, into the treasury. When the Lord noticed and saw her, He looked not at the amount of her gift, but at her purpose. He considered not how much she had given, but out of how much she had given it. He answered and said, "Truly I say to you, that widow has put more than all of them into the offerings of God. For all these have put into the offerings of God out of their abundance; but she, out of her poverty, has put in all the living that she had," Luke 21:3-4. A greatly blessed and glorious woman, who even before the day of judgment deserved to be praised by the voice of the Judge! Let the rich be ashamed of their barrenness and unbelief. The widow, the widow poor in resources, is

Novatian, On the Jewish Meats Supporting witness

...st. He is said even to have called the poor blessed, and those who hunger and thirst happy, but the rich miserable. For those who obey the rule of their belly and their palate would never lack material for their lusts, so their slavery could never end. They think it is a sign of their happiness to desire as much as they can, except that in this way they are able to gain less than they desire. Moreover, by preferring Lazarus in his hunger, in his sores themselves, and with the rich man's dogs, He restrained the destroyers of salvation, the belly and the palate, by examples. The apostle also, when he said, "Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content," 1 Timothy 6:8, laid down the law of frugality and self-control. And thinking it would be of little advantage merely to have written this, he also gave himself as an example of what he had written. So he added, not without reason, that avarice is the root of all evils, 1 Timothy 6:10, for it follows in the footsteps of luxury. Whatever the latter has wasted through vice, the former restores through crime. The circle of crimes is walked again, so that luxury may once more take away whatever avarice had piled up. Nor are there

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...l and rotten. Therefore, this illustration is for the servants of God, for the poor man and for the rich." I said, "How so, sir? Explain it to me." He said, "Listen. The rich man has much wealth, but he is poor in matters relating to the Lord, because he is distracted by his riches. He offers very few confessions and intercessions to the Lord, and those that he does offer are small and weak, and have no power above. But when the rich man refreshes the poor and helps him in his needs, believing that what he does for the poor man will receive its reward from God, because the poor man is rich in intercession and confession, and his intercession has great power with God, then the rich man helps the poor in all things without hesitation. And the poor man, being helped by the rich, intercedes for him, giving thanks to God for the one who gives him gifts. And he continues to care zealously for the poor man, so that his needs may always be supplied. For he knows that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable to God and has influence with Him. So both of them accomplish their work. The poor man makes intercession, a work in which he is rich, which he received from the Lord, and with

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

...ccepts the paedagogue." And who is meant by that figure I will explain briefly. There was a certain rich man who lived like the Gentiles and spent every day in great luxury. There was also another man, a poor man, who was his neighbor and who could not get even his daily bread. It happened that both these men departed this life, that they both descended into the grave, and that the poor man was conveyed into the place of rest, and so forth, as you know. But that rich man also had five brothers, living as he had lived, and having no doubt about the lessons they had learned at home from such a master. Then the rich man begged that they should be instructed together and at once in the superior doctrine. But Abraham, knowing that they still needed the paedagogue, said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets." For if they did not receive these, so that their course might be directed by him, that is, by Moses, as by a paedagogue, they would not be capable of receiving the doctrine of the superior master.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

You are mistaken and deceived, whoever you are, if you think you are rich in this world. Listen to the voice of your Lord in Revelation, rebuking people like you with just reproaches: “You say,” He says, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and do not know that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold tried in the fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness may not appear in you; and anoint your eyes with eye-salve, so that you may see.” Revelation 3:17-18 Therefore, you who are rich and wealthy, buy for yourself from Christ gold tried by fire, so that you may be pure gold, with your filth burned away as if by fire, if you are cleansed by almsgiving and righteous works. Buy for yourself white clothing, so that you who had been naked in Adam, and were before dreadful and unseemly, may be clothed with the white garment of Christ. And you who are a wealthy and rich matron in Christ’s Church, anoint your eyes, not with the devil’s eye-salve, but with Christ’s eye-salve, so that you may be able to come to see God by deserving wel

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

But there are some rich women, rich in abundant resources, who prefer their own wealth and argue that they ought to use these blessings. First of all, let them know that she is rich who is rich in God. She is wealthy who is wealthy in Christ. Those things are blessings which are spiritual, divine, and heavenly, which lead us to God, and which remain with us forever in our possession with God. But whatever things are earthly, and have been received in this world, and will remain here with the world, ought to be despised just as the world itself is despised. For we have already renounced its pomp and pleasures when, through a blessed passage, we came to God. John urges and exhorts us, bearing witness with a spiritual and heavenly voice: "Do not love the world, or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is not from the Father, but is from the lust of the world. And the world passes away, and its lust: but he who does the will of God abides forever, just as God also abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17 Therefore eternal and