Rich man and Lazarus
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a biblical story from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 16:19-31 EU). The figure of Lazarus is not identical with the resurrected according to John's Gospel of Jesus Christ Lazarus ( Jn 11 EU).
Content
The Lukan parable represents two figures facing each other: the poor man Lazarus and an unnamed rich man who dressed in purple and fine canvas. Lazarus is at the gate of the rich and sought after pieces of bread that fall from the table to the floor,
Instead, the dogs came and licked his sores (Luke 16:21)
( " Physical bay " literally) again after his death, Lazarus is in Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried, but can be found in the underworld ( Hades ) again, in which he suffers excruciating pain. From Abraham to the rich man is enlightened:
My child, remember that you received during his lifetime your good things, and Lazarus but only evil. Now he is comforted here, but you must suffer. (Luke 16:25).
The rich man wishes that a person sends Abraham from beyond the grave to warn its members against what fate might befall. The answer of Abraham is:
But Abraham said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (Luke 16:31).
Background and interpretation
The parable begins abruptly without any introduction. There is also no interpretation by Jesus or the evangelist. By staging in Hades and the occurrence of Abraham, however, it becomes clear that this is a fictitious example story that wants to bring about a behavioral change among listeners and readers with reference to FIGS. From the narrower context of the text, the addressee can identify most likely as a Pharisee, which have previously been referred to in Luke 16:14 EU as " lovers of money ", then in Luke 16.15-17 EU of Jesus as arrogant and hypocritical.
For the meaning of the parable there is also different types of secondary interpretations:
- Lazarus is a picture of materially impoverished people; the rich man symbolizes rich people. The rich man suffers according to this interpretation torments in Hades, because he had the poor are not sufficiently helped. Lazarus is in Abraham's bosom solely because of his poverty. Since this is the only place in the Bible where torments of Hades is mentioned, a picture to hell is sometimes seen here.
- According to another interpretation of the parable criticized the Jewish authorities, who live comfortably, but not to the fulfillment of the law ( " Moses and the prophets " ) care and thus distort God's word, which is why they do not participate in the Kingdom of God. With Lazarus the believing part of Israel is meant the common people, the expected redemption. In similar direction has an older interpretation of Johann Nepomuk Sepp and the Abbé Drioux who wants to know the time of Jesus reigning high priest Caiaphas in the rich man. The five brothers would thus its five -in-law - Eleazar ( high priest 16-17), Jonathan ( 36-37 ), Theophilus ( 37-41 ), Matthias (43) and Ananus (63 ) - the Office also in the 1st century of the high priest obtained.
Their father, to be sent to the Lazarus to warn them is identified as the high priest Annas.
- Lazarus is Eliezer of Damascus, who was house slave, according to Gen. 15.2 EU Abraham. Eliezer was a pagan who was disowned by Abraham in favor of his son Isaac bodily, but continued to serve him faithfully. In favor of this identification in addition to the similarity of names existing in Hebrew and some motifs of the two stories: In the parable of Lazarus is " at the doors" ( ie before the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem ), he feeds on wastes that fall from the table of the rich man ( a well-known allusion to the Gentiles ), and he lives with dogs together ( as a nod to the lifestyle of the pagans ). In contrast, the rich man is Judah, the son of Jacob, and thus for the Jewish people. For this identification is the fact that four times is in the parable emphasizes that Abraham and the rich man are related ( via the direct descent line: father-son ), while this is not mentioned in Lazarus. Furthermore, the rich man has five brothers, as well as Judah ( Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, and Zebulun ). He is dressed in purple ( the colors of the kingdom ) and lines ( the color of the priesthood ) as essential elements that make up the nation of the Jews. Next emphasizes Abraham in the parable that the brothers of the rich man " Moses and the prophets ", but not listen to her. This leads to the interpretation that the genetic lineage of Abraham alone does not lead to "true inheritance " but faithful service in poverty and humility, which is just and Gentiles are distinguished and can come to a children of Abraham. This interpretation clarifies the parable in a row with the words of Jesus from Matthew 8:11-12 EU, where Jesus says that nations will sit at the table of Abraham, while children of the kingdom shall be expelled because of their unbelief.
- The image of the falling pieces of bread may be traced back to former custom, hands to clean themselves with bread, which was then discarded.