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NASB | Luke 16:19 ¶ "Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 16:19 ¶ "Now there was a certain rich man who was habitually dressed in expensive purple and fine linen, and celebrated and lived joyously in splendor every day. |
Bible Question:
What is the essential, main point of Jesus' account of the rich man and Lazarus? Is it that riches won't guarantee treasures in the afterlife? Comfort for the poor? Something else? Thanks! Huron |
Bible Answer: Hi, Huron! You might want to look at my post #157835 on the sound interpretation of Parables. You will note that this parable (Luke 16:19-31) differs from the majority of them in several significant ways. For example, it is the only parable (of some 33 of them) in which a proper name is used: Lazarus. (Traditionally this parable is called the parable of Lazarus and Dives. The word Dives comes from the Latin for "rich man," (verse 19) pronounced DYE-vees.) In addition it was spoken for the benefit of the Pharisees, rather than the direct benefit of Jesus' followers (verses 14-15). It is a parable of particular judgment. Without going into a full analysis of this parable, I believe it is safe to affirm that the primary point of the parable was a repudiation of the Pharisees' assumption regarding the constituency of those who are saved. The Pharisees, as Christ pointed out, were those who "justified themselves before men" (verse 15). God, however, takes a very different view! Christ is affirming quite clearly that the Pharisees' fundamental beliefs regarding the kingdom of God are very much in error (Luke 13:28). Their self assurance in external virtue and satisfaction of the Law would not compensate for the condition of their unregenerate hearts. I hope this very tiny "nutshell" answer is of help. In Him, Doc |