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In this lesson:
The rich man and the beggar. Punishment awaits. Read verses 16:19-33 if money satisfies you. Read 17:3-4 if friends and family let you down. Advice from Jesus: If someone should "trespass against" you and then repents, forgive them (17:3-4). |
The rich man and Lazarus.
By an unknown artist. |
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 16:19-17:10
A parable on riches and service 19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 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; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 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. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 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. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke: Chapter 17:1-10 Sin, Forgiveness, Faith, Duty 1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. |
Margin notes:
"Clothed in purple." (16:19) - Purple dye was made from shellfish and so expensive only the wealthy could afford it. "Fared sumptuously." (16:19) - Means "lived luxuriously." "Which was laid at his gate." (16:20) - Lazarus, the beggar laid at the rich man's door, hungry and full of sores. "Abraham's bosom." (16:22) - According to the Talmud (the book of Jewish law), the righteous dead rest on Abraham's bosom while they wait for final vindication. "I am tormented in this flame." (16:24) - "I am suffering in this flame." "Testify unto them." (16:28) - Means "Warn them." "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." (16:29) - Means, they have already been warned by Moses and the Old Testament prophets. "They hear not Moses and the prophets." (16:31) - "They don't listen to Moses or the prophets." "Offences will come." (17:1) - "Temptation will come." "Woe unto him, through whom they come." (17:1) - Those who lead others astray shoulder much of the blame for the sin. "Offend one of these little ones." (17:2) - "Cause one of God's children to sin." "Seven times." (17:4) - The number seven represents fullness (see also Matthew 18:21-22). "Increase our faith." (17:5) - The apostles knew they lacked the faith to be so forgiving. "Mustard seed." (17:6) - The smallest known seed in Palestine. "Sycamine tree." (7:6) - "Mulberry tree." "Sit down to meat." (17:7) - "Sit down to eat." "Gird myself." (17:8) - "Prepare yourself." "I Trow not." (17:9) - "I think not." "We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." (17:10) - "We are unworthy servants; we only did our duty." |
New Living Translation
Luke 16:19-17:10
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 "Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,
23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 "The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'
25 "But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.
26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.'
27 "Then the rich man said, 'Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home.
28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.'
29 "But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.'
30 "The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.'
31 "But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Luke 17:1-10
Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith
1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!
2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.
3 So watch yourselves!
"If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.
4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive."
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Show us how to increase our faith."
6 The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!
7 "When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, 'Come in and eat with me'?
8 No, he says, 'Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.'
9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not.
10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
19 Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 "Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,
23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
24 "The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'
25 "But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.
26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.'
27 "Then the rich man said, 'Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home.
28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.'
29 "But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.'
30 "The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.'
31 "But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Luke 17:1-10
Teachings about Forgiveness and Faith
1 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!
2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin.
3 So watch yourselves!
"If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.
4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive."
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Show us how to increase our faith."
6 The Lord answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!
7 "When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, 'Come in and eat with me'?
8 No, he says, 'Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.'
9 And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not.
10 In the same way, when you obey me you should say, 'We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." (16:25)
"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." (16:27-29)
"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." (17:1-2)
"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." (17:3-4)
"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." (16:27-29)
"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones." (17:1-2)
"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him." (17:3-4)
Today's Questions:
1. What does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar teach? (16:19-31)
2. What does the parable of the servant teach? (17:7-10)
Make God a part of your life by studying His word each day. Your Bible has more to teach than these lessons can cover.
1. What does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar teach? (16:19-31)
2. What does the parable of the servant teach? (17:7-10)
Make God a part of your life by studying His word each day. Your Bible has more to teach than these lessons can cover.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is unique to "The Gospel of St. Luke." It is a poignant story about final judgement. In Jesus' day, people falsely believed that wealth, good fortune, and health were a heavenly reward for living a righteous life. A person living in luxury had found favor with God. If a person were handicapped, diseased, or living in poverty it was a punishment from God. Jesus aimed the parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar straight at the Pharisees and their followers. The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, could hardly believe that the rich man in Jesus' parable was destined for hell and the diseased beggar Lazarus to heaven. This shook the very foundations of society. Of course, the rich man wasn't punished because he was rich, but because of the selfish way he treated Lazarus and misused his fortune. The parable teaches us how our earthly actions determine our eternal destiny.
2. Many Bible scholars believe that verses 17:7-10 teach us about duty. "The point of this parable was that a servant should expect no special reward for doing what was his duty in the first place. The demanding standards Christ set (vv. 1-4) may have seemed too high to the disciples, but they represented only the minimal duties for a servant of Christ. Those who obey are not to think their obedience is meritorious." ("The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville Tennessee; page 1314).
Application task for the day:
Take time to ponder these parables, then put them in your own words.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke