Jewish religious authorities, who were "lovers of money," were scoffing at Jesus' choice of sitting with tax collectors and other social outcasts who were socially perceived as sinners. Against this backdrop, Jesus tells the Parable of the Rich Man and Poor Man. It is a parable that is about heaven and hell and is directed towards everyone listening. As you carefully examine each section of the parable, consider what the point of the parable is.

"Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:19-22, NASB)

1. What is Jesus saying about Lazarus by stating that he is on the chest within the arms of Abraham?

In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.' (Luke 16:23-26, NASB)

2. What is Hades? How would you research this? What does the Rich Man tell you about this place?

And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house— for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' But he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!' But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'" (Luke 16:27-31, NASB)

3. What does the Rich Man hope for his family?

4. What is Moses and the Prophets? What does the Rich Man realize?