Lazarus and a certain rich man

In Jesus' time, the Gentiles were as beggars at the massive gates of the extremely grand temple in Jerusalem, the temple of the Jews, Herod's temple. Many were hungry for knowledge of God, but not receiving a full portion, receiving only crumbs, they were as hungry dogs, and were seen as dogs by those having knowledge of God:

(All scripture LITV - Literal Translation Version)

Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan coming forth from those borders cried out to Him, saying, Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is badly demon-possessed.
Mat 15:23 But He did not answer her a word. And coming near, His disciples asked Him, saying, Send her away, for she cries out after us.
Mat 15:24 But answering, He said, I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 15:25 But coming, she worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me!
Mat 15:26 But answering, He said, It is not good to take the bread of the children to throw it to the little dogs.
Mat 15:27 But she said, Yes, Lord; for even the little dogs eat of the crumbs falling from the table of their lords.
Mat 15:28 Then answering, Jesus said to her, O woman, great is your faith; let it be to you as you desire. And her daughter was healed from that hour.

"Let it be to you as you desire."!

The Gentiles, those not of the house of Israel, were seen as dogs you see, having no knowledge of God, as a dog, but having great faith in their master. The knowledgeable Pharisees and Sadducees called them dogs daily, as they stood in purple robes upon a pedestal. This pompousness within the gates is that "certain rich man" in the parable below. They were lovers of money. The house of prayer had become a den of thief's.

Luke 16:14-15 And being lovers of money, the Pharisees also heard all these things; and they derided Him. And He (Jesus) said to them, You are those justifying yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for the thing highly prized among men is a hateful thing before God.

The rich man did not like Jesus' fresh bread of life though, he preferred his old bread, bread that had become lifeless to the people, that bread that Jesus warned the people about.

Mat 16:11 How do you not perceive that it was not about loaves that I said to you to take heed from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?
Mat 16:12 Then they knew that He did not say to take heed from the leaven of bread, but from the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Their constant cry was, "We have Abraham to our Father"! That was not going to save them though. The axe was already laid to the root of the trees, their works. ...(Words of John the baptiser, Jesus' cousin...)

Mat 3:7 But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mat 3:8 Therefore, bring forth fruits worthy of repentance.
Mat 3:9 And do not think to say within yourselves, We have a father, Abraham. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
Mat 3:10 But already the axe is even laid at the root of the trees; therefore, any tree not bringing forth good fruit is cut off and is thrown into fire.

Lazarus was a Gentile. Lazarus was a representation of the Gentiles. Jesus sure loved that Lazarus! Jesus cried when Lazarus died. When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus did his greatest work of all, to show that the Gentiles had obtained mercy, because of their intense desire to be near him, and hunger for his words, they had received life. The work of raising Lazarus from the dead was a representation of the mercy of God upon the Gentiles.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Mat 8:11 And I (Jesus) say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

So as the story goes, when poor ol' Lazarus died, he found himself being hugged by Abraham in a great paradise of God! But the rich man, with all his claims to Abraham, found himself in complete anguish and torment, being constantly and painfully reminded of all those times the bread of life was offered up to him on a platter, but he spat on it. Even though Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many would not believe, many still had a hard time believing Jesus was the Messiah, even after that!

Joh 12:9 Then a great crowd of the Jews learned that He was there. And they did not come because of Jesus alone, but that they also might see Lazarus whom He raised from the dead.

So as the story goes, Jesus was rejected by his own husbandmen.

Mat 21:42 Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the Scriptures, "A Stone which the builders rejected, this One became the Head of the Corner? This was from the Lord, and it is a wonder in our eyes?" Psalm 118:22, 23
Mat 21:43 Because of this I say to you, The kingdom of God will be taken from you, and it will be given to a nation producing the fruits of it.
Mat 21:44 And he who falls on this Stone will be broken; but on whomever It falls, It will pulverize him.
Mat 21:45 And hearing His parables, the chief priests and the Pharisees knew that He was speaking about them.

So the Gentiles, strangers, were invited to partake of the bread of life, and many of them did eat, having received eternal life in the paradise of God!

Joh 7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
Joh 7:32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
Joh 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
Joh 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
Joh 7:35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?

After Jesus rose from the dead, before ascending to heaven, where they (workers of the temple in Jerusalem) could not follow Jesus, because of their many hypocrisies, Jesus appeared to his Apostles and told them to do exactly that, take the gospel of the kingdom of God to everyone, that's Jew and Gentile. (A Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew.)

Mar 16:15 And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Years later, we read many of the Gentiles had eaten of the bread of life, and did obtained mercy...

Eph 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Act 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

Rom 11:30 For as you then also disobeyed God, but now have obtained mercy by the disobedience of these,
Rom 11:31 so also these now have disobeyed, so that they also may obtain mercy by your mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God shut up all into disobedience, that He may show mercy to all.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches and of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Glory to God.


And that's the story of Lazarus the Gentile, and that certain rich man. Considering all the above, read the entire parable that is presented last, again. It will make more sense now. Jesus was speaking of a certain rich man, not every rich man ever. It truly is impossible to be extremely rich and not think of your cash as a greater thing than your living neighbor, without God, but like Jesus said, it is possible, with God, having God dwelling within you, it is possible.


Mat 19:16 And, behold, coming near, one said to Him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17 And He said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One, God! But if you desire to enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18 He said to Him, Which? And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder, nor commit adultery, nor steal, nor bear false witness,
Mat 19:19 honor your father and your mother," and, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Ex. 20:12-16; Lev. 19:18; Deut. 5:16-20
Mat 19:20 The young man said to Him, All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?
Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, If you desire to be perfect, go sell your property and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.
Mat 19:22 But having heard the Word, being grieved, the young man went away, for he had many possessions.
Mat 19:23 And Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 And His disciples were exceedingly astonished when they heard this, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But having looked at them, Jesus said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Mat 19:27 Then answering, Peter said to Him, Behold, we left all things and followed You. What then shall be to us?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, You who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29 And everyone who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for the sake of My name, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many first ones shall be last, and last ones first.

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Hear the parable of Lazarus and a certain rich man
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(continued from very top)
Luke 16:14-15 And being lovers of money, the Pharisees also heard all these things; and they derided Him. And He (Jesus) said to them, You are those justifying yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for the thing highly prized among men is a hateful thing before God.

(continued)
Luke 16:16-18 The Law and the Prophets were until John; from then the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is pressing into it. But it is easier for the heaven and the earth to pass away than one point of the Law to fail. Everyone putting away his wife, and marrying another, commits adultery. And everyone marrying her who has been put away from a husband commits adultery.

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Luk 16:19 And there was a certain rich man; and he was accustomed to don a purple robe and fine linen, making merry in luxury day by day.
Luk 16:20 And there was a certain poor one named Lazarus who had been laid at his doorway, having been ulcerated,
Luk 16:21 and longing to be filled from the crumbs that were falling from the table of the rich one. But coming, even the dogs licked his sores.
Luk 16:22 And it happened, the poor one died and was carried away by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And the rich one also died and was buried.
Luk 16:23 And being in torments in hell, lifting up his eyes, he sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24 And calling he said, Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in this flame.
Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that you fully received your good things in your lifetime, and Lazarus likewise the bad things. But now he is comforted, and you are suffering.
Luk 16:26 And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those desiring to pass from here to you are not able, nor can they pass from there to us.
Luk 16:27 And he said, Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father's house;
Luk 16:28 (for I have five brothers, so that he may witness to them, that they not also come to this place of torment).
Luk 16:29 Abraham said to him, They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them.
Luk 16:30 But he said, No, father Abraham, but if one should go from the dead to them, they will repent.
Luk 16:31 And he said to him, If they will not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if one from the dead should rise.


I wanted to add, I know for certain Abraham lives, and has utmost respect for King of kings and Lord of lords. He jumped for joy when he seen The Word begin his ministry! Hear the story below. I also know Abraham was very honored to witness the Word return to Good Father, faithful and true, to the very right hand of the power of the most high Lord God Almighty, His Good Father, our Good Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.


Joh 8:47 The one who is of God hears the Words of God; for this reason you do not hear, because you are not of God.
Joh 8:48 Then the Jews answered and said to Him, Do we not say well that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?
Joh 8:49 Jesus answered, I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
Joh 8:50 But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges.
Joh 8:51 Truly, truly, I say to you, If anyone keeps My Word, he will not behold death to the age, never!
Joh 8:52 Then the Jews said to Him, Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets, and You say, If anyone keeps My Word, he will not taste of death to the age, never!
Joh 8:53 Are You greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died! Whom do You make Yourself?
Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, whom you say is your God.
Joh 8:55 And you have not known Him; but I know Him, And if I say that I do not know Him, I shall be like you, a liar. But I know Him, and I keep His Word.
John 8:56 Your father Abraham leaped for joy that he should see My day, and he saw, and rejoiced.
Joh 8:57 Then the Jews said to Him, You do not yet have fifty years, and have You seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham came to be, I AM!
Joh 8:59 Because of this, they took up stones that they might throw them on Him. But Jesus was hidden, and went forth out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.


Say it with me, please...

I pledge allegiance... to the God... of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... And to the kingdom... for which Christ stands... all nations... under God... invincible... with liberty and justice for all. Amen.