>1. Why did the rich master summon his manager and intend to fire him?
* Luke 16:1-2 "Jesus told his disciples: 'There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'"
* Luke is the only one to record the parable of the Shrewd Manager.
Luke records many events unique to his gospel, starting in Luke 9:51 (or 10:1) till Luke 18:14 (i.e., the sending of the seventy-two in 10:1-23, a unique visit to Martha and Mary's house in 10:38-42, ten healed of leprosy in 17:11-19). Much in these eight plus chapters are parables unique to Luke's gospel. (See a chart comparing Jesus' parables by using the link above.)
Luke 18:15, Matthew 19:13, and Mark 10:13 record the same event, people bringing little children to Jesus.
The events only recorded in Luke's mid-chapters seems to document events that happened during Jesus' trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (winter) as John 10:22 records, and his last trip just before Jesus was crucified during the Feast of Passover (spring). If these facts are true than its possible that Luke 13:22 and 31 documents the start of Jesus' final trip to Jerusalem. (See chart.) He stopped in every town on this last journey to Jerusalem (14:25, 17:11, 18:31).
* "disciples" -In the lose sense of the word. Not just the twelve or just the seventy-two. All those who were listening to him (15:1).
* "rich man" -God and his one and only son Jesus. Jesus was sent as a representative of his Father. They were to give an account.
* "manager" -The Jewish leadership.
Joseph was an administer for Potiphar's house (Genesis 39) as well as all Egypt (Genesis 41:41, 44). "A manager (steward) is one who superintends domestic concerns, and ministers to the support of the family, having the products of the field, business, etc., put into his hands for this very purpose" (Adam Clarke's Commentary).
* "wasting his possessions" -"Diaskorpizo" is the original Greek for "wasting" also translated scatter abroad (as in winnowing) and disperse. Squander, embezzlement, and/or incompetence.
* "What is this I hear about you. Give an account of your management..." -There was an accusation. The rich man was giving a change to counter the claim. The rich man was being fair.
* "because you cannot be manager any longer." -The rich man's intent was to fire him. He must have known and/or found out that the claim was true.
>How did the manager assess his situation?
* Luke 16:3 "The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg--"
* "My master is taking away my job" -He knew he was being fired.
* "I'm not strong enough to dig" -"Sakapto", a verb in the original Greek is the same as to till the earth, to work at daily labor.
* "I'm ashamed to beg"
* He deduced if he didn't do something now he would be in want. He would have a bad reputation. No one would hire him as a manager.
>2. What did he do to prepare himself for his possible future unemployment? (4-7)
* Luke 16:4-7 "I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'
So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'
Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?' "'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied. "He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'"
* "when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses." -Many commentaries state that this is the one important thing to notice in this parable. However, they have different views on what Jesus is saying here.
>In what respect was he shrewd?
* "shrewd" -Characterized by keep awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical. Disposed to artful and cunning practices, tricky. (American Heritage Dictionary).
* The adverb "shrewd" (NIV, CSBible) in the original Greek is "phronimos" also translated as "wisely" (KJV, ASV), "astutely" (HCSB), "clever" (GW), and "prudent" (YLT).
* "The Last Judgment", an oil on panel is Triptych by Hieronymus Bosch on display at Gemaldegalerie of the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna.
The left wing tells the story of Adam and Eve: the creation of man, the eating of the apple and the expulsion from Paradise.
The center panel shows the Last Judgment, a popular medieval subject. Seated in heaven, Jesus decides who will go to Hell and who will enter Heaven. The earth is on fire and strange creatures capture the remaining sinners.
The right wing shows Hell, destination of the doomed.
This was scanned in by "Art and the Bible".
>3. What commendable point did the master find in this manager?
* Luke 16:8 "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light."
* "commended" -The original Greek verb "epaineo" is also translated "praised".
* "the people of this world" -Also in Psalm 17:14, Isaiah 40:23, John 8:23, 12:31, 13:1, 13:30, 16:11, 18:36-37, Acts 11:28, 17:31; Romans 12:2, etc.
* Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
* "dealing with their own kind" -People of this world as opposed to the Lord Jesus' people.
* "than are the people of the light" -Jesus refers to his people as "people of light". Since Jesus refereed to the "people of the world" as dealing with their people, it could be said that he is referring to his people as dealing with each other. However, could it also mean how they deal with people of the world? The answer to this question is in the next verse.
* John 12:36a "Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light."
>What spiritual lesson does Jesus teach us from this shrewd manager's worldly wisdom?
* Luke 16:9 "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings."
* Luke 16:9 "Here's the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home."
* The "Parable of the Shrewd Manager" (aka "The Parable of the Unfaithful Steward", and "The Parable of the Dishonest Manager") can distract a person's attention to side debates and thoughts till one loses the main point of the parable. This is a difficult teaching to comprehend. The details, though interesting, seem mostly to support the main idea. Therefore, they only find importance in support instead of being a main point to consider.
Jesus' main point is in verse 9, "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." An ill side point to consider is that the manager was not using his own wealth to secure his future in this world. He was using someone else's. What is Jesus saying? Another distraction would be how could Jesus use an unscrupulous man as the hero of the parable. Did he gain eternal life?
The first question I have is, "What worldly wealth do I have?" Worldly wealth is things that God has provided me that I can use to make friends, for in doing so, I have eternal dwellings. I am not saying that by good works I am saved. I am saved by grace through faith. Rather, I just want to know what can I do to obey Jesus' teaching here. What did God give me that I can use to help others know Jesus?
The proper use of worldly wealth (which is more than money) is the point. Christians should use it so well here on earth, by expending it not selfishly on their own pleasures, but unselfishly for the good of others, and for the advancement of God's kingdom, that instead of hindering them from reaching heaven, it will help them to enter there. The foresight of the steward is commended in this parable, not his dishonest use of someone else's stuff.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 16:1-9.
>How can we use our worldly wealth to prepare ourselves for eternity?
* "worldly wealth" -Anything that we do not bring with us when our physical body dies. This does not include the Holy Spirit for the Spirit cannot be "used" and is with Jesus' disciples when we die. The Spirit carries us along.
* The KJV and it's update, the ASV's translations "the mammon of unrighteousness" (also YLT and WEB) are misleading and confusing. The Greek implies that while money is often used unrighteously, the people of the light can use it righteously. That is why Jesus called his disciples as "people of the light" if the previous verse.
* "Treacherous and precarious for "worldly wealth per "A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testament".
* "By means of the mammon" per "Barnes' Notes on the New Testament".
* By giving this name to riches, Jesus intends to render them an object of our suspicion, because for the most part they involve their possessors in unrighteousness Though in themselves they are not evil, yet as it rarely happens that they are obtained without deceit, or violence, or some other unlawful expedient, or that the enjoyment of them is unaccompanied by pride, or luxury, or some other wicked disposition, Christ justly represents them as worthy of our suspicion; just as on another occasion he called them thorns, (Matthew 13:7,22.) It would appear that a contrast, though not expressed, is intended to be supplied, to this effect; that riches, which otherwise, in consequence of wicked abuse, polluted their possessors, and are almost in every ease allurements of sin, ought to be directed to a contrary object, to be the means of procuring favor for us. Let us also remember what I have formerly stated, that God does not demand sacrifice to be made from booty unjustly acquired, as if he were the partner of thieves, and that it is rather a warning given to believers to keep themselves free from unrighteousness. (Calvin's Commentaries).
>How can we be trustworthy in handling worldly wealth so as to be entrusted with true riches?
* Luke 16:10-12 "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?"
* Matthew 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
* The quantity of valuables do not determine if a person is trustworthy with someone else's possessions. Trust is earned by being faithful in small matters, for whether it is a small amount or a large amount, if a person is untrustworthy with one, they are untrustworthy with billions. If a person is untrustworthy with something that has no true value, then they are not worthy of something truly valuable.
Wonder why God has given so little? In part, he is determining what we will be worthy to be given at the resurrection of the dead. If proven unfaithful with a small amount of worldly wealth, which has no value in the kingdom of God, then why give what is really valuable as property of our own for eternity?
President Ronald Reagan international introduced the Russian proverb "trust but verify" when negotiating with Russia concerning nuclear treaty disarmament. That proverb is the way of the worldly wise, not the deeper wisdom and eternally valuable way of Christ.
How does Christ determine if one is loyal and trustworthy? He determines if they serve him or money by giving them money. Money is the most coveted worldly wealth because it can be used to gain power, control, freedom, and luxury in this world. Since the human soul can only covent and serve one entity all the time, if they are given money, they will eventually need to decide if they will use it to glorify God or to glorify themselves. Who am I serving right now?
Listen to the above comments on Luke 16:10-13.
>5. Why can't we serve two masters at one time?
* Luke 16:13 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
* Also in Matthew 6:24.
* "God" -"God" is the Greek word "theos" (a transliteration) meaning the supreme Divinity.
* "money" -The original Greek is "mammonas"(a transliteration). Its of Chaldian origin (confidence, i.e. figurative wealth, personified); mammonas, i.e. avarice (deified).
* The human heart was designed to worship only one thing. The human soul can only wholeheartedly serve one thing at a time and that one thing was designed to be God.
>Why did the Pharisees sneer at Jesus?
* Luke 16:14 "The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus."
* Luke 16:14 "The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him."
* "The Pharisees, who loved money" -The adjective "loved" is "philargyros" (a transliteration) in the original Greek appears two times in the Bible. It can also be translated "coventous". It comes from two words "philos" meaning love or very fond ot" and "arguros" meaning coin, silver, and shinning.
* Jesus had spoken ill of those who loved money. They covenant money.
>How did they justify themselves, and how did God look at them?
* Luke 16:15 "Then he said to them, "You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God."
* "You like to appear righteous in public"
* "but God knows your hearts"
>How is God's value system different from man's?
* "What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God."
* Jesus was addressing his disciples (1). However, it appears that some Pharisees were also in the crowd (14). They were wolves in sheep's clothing, sneering as Jesus taught.
Jesus stated, "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (13). Oh, they did not like that. Why? Because they loved money. They self-justified their love of money. Jesus pointed out that God knew their heart. While they loved money, God detested it for people like the Pharisees love money more than God.
How can I tell what I love? Where is my zeal? What is my passion? Where are my thoughts? What do I desire? What do I spend my time doing? Self-deception is easy? Will I be honest with myself? Or will I be like the Pharisees and justify myself?
The words of the prophet Malachi are true about people who love money. They say to themselves, "It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly, the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape." However, those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 'They will be mine, my treasured possession, in the day when I act' says the Lord Almighty..." (Malachi 3:14-17)
Listen to the above comments on Luke 16:13-15.
* "The Law and the Gospel", by Lucas Cranach the Elder 1472 - 1553 on display at Narodna galerie, Sternberg Palace, Prague
In the top left Moses receives the tables of the Law. Below him Adam and Eve undergo the Fall.
In the center under the tree sits a naked young man - perhaps Adam, perhaps an ordinary sinner. To the right of him is John the Baptist, pointing to the salvation through the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. The bearded man is probably the prophet Elijah, who Christians often link to the coming of the Messiah.
Left and right of the panel not only show the Old and the New Testament. There also is a division between death and resurrection, shown in Jesus rising from the grave.
This was scanned in by "Art and the Bible".
>6. How did people force their way into the kingdom of God during the time of John the Baptist's ministry? (Luke 3:18)
* Luke 16:16-17 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law. "
* Luke 16:16-17 "The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is strongly urged to enter it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the law to drop out."
* Luke 3:18 "And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them."
* Jesus' similar words about John the Baptist is found in Matthew 11:11-15. "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear."
* Similar is Jesus' preaching during "The Sermon on the Mount" found in Matthew 5:17-20. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
* "Until John the Baptist" -John was the bridge from the former covenant to the new covenant, with legs in both. Similar people marking changes in God's interactions with people are Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and Elijah the prophet.
>In spite of the rejection of the influential Pharisees, how was God working to proclaim his kingdom?
* "The Law and the Prophets" -The Law was the first five books (scrolls) of the Bible written by Moses, after which are the historical books listed in chronological order. The prophets' books follows the historical books, the last set of books in the Old Testament.
* "until John (the Baptist)" -John is the bridge between two ages. He was a prophet per Jesus who proclaimed the good news that the promised Messiah had been born and would start his ministry after him.
* "since then, the good news of the kingdom of God has been proclaimed,"
* "...everyone is forcing his way into it" -A few translation (HCSB, CSBible) have, "...everyone is strongly urged to enter it".
* "the messages of the prophets were your guides" -Like John the Baptist.
* Jesus divided Israel's history into two covenant periods (though more can be found like God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who became Israel.). The former Jesus called "The Law and the Prophets." The present he called "The Good News of the Kingdom of God." God supplied words for both covenants, words to live by. Both have messages that were and are proclaimed and preached.
John the Baptist was the last of the prophets and the first to preach the good news (Luke 3:18) though Jesus was the first to say he preached "The Good News of the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 4:23; 9:35, Mark 1:14-15). Jesus said, they "...were proclaimed until John."
Jesus was not downplaying the Law, the Prophets, nor the Psalms. No, for he said that came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44). They are the foundation that pointed to Jesus. He said, "It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law."
John, Jesus, and the apostles preach the good news of the kingdom. Studying, obeying, and preaching their words is just as important, perhaps even more important than Israel's need to study and obey the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. I am glad that God has revealed to me his splendid good news and ask they he keep revealing them to me.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 16:16-17.
>Extra: The Subject of Divorce.
* Luke 16:18 NIV "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
* Luke 16:18 "For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery."
* Matthew 1:19 "Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly."
* Matthew 5:31-32 "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
* Matthew 19:8-9 "Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."
* Mark 10:2-12 "Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" "What did Moses command you?" he replied. They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away." "It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
* 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."
* Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery."
* Leviticus 20:10 "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death."
* Proverbs 6:32 "But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself."
* 2 Peter 2:14 "With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed--an accursed brood!"
* Deuteronomy 24:1-4 "If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled. That would be detestable in the eyes of the LORD. Do not bring sin upon the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance."
* Jeremiah 3:6-11 "During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, "Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. ecause Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the LORD. The LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah."
* "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery" -Jesus had just mentioned the Law.
* "divorces"
* "adultery"
* A quick read of the passage could lead a person to say that Jesus's mention of divorce and adultery is out of place and not connected to the "Parable of the Shrewd Manager" (1-13) nor Jesus' response to the sneering Pharisees (14-17). However, upon study, it is in the perfect place.
Jesus mentioned that the Law of the Covenant with Israel (which is the first five books of the Bible) is still binding and important even though the good news of the kingdom of God was being preached (16).
One of the Ten Commandments states, "You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14). Deuteronomy 24:1-4 mentions the certificate of divorce (though when it was first introduced to Israel is not known for that is not given in the Bible). So it is considered part of the law, though that was debated in Jesus' time (Mark 10:2).
Jesus mentions divorce and adultery because they are still binding to Israel. The good news is preached, but adultery is still unlawful and still sinful. (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:8-9; Mark 10:2-12; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
The reason why divorce is such a serious matter to God the Father and Jesus is because marriage is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman, no different than the Lord's covenant with Abraham and Israel. This was true with Adam and Eve at the beginning of creation (Matthew 19:8-9; Mark 10:2-12). And marriage was made to reflect the relationship between God the Father and the Son through the binding of the Holy Spirit.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 16:18.
II. The Rich Man and Lazarus (19-31)
>7. Compare the life of the rich man with that of Lazarus. Describe their respective situations after they died.
* Luke 16:19-23 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side."
* Luke 16:19-23 "Jesus said, 'There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 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."
* Luke is the only one to record the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus.
* "angels" -The noun "angels" is "angelos" (a transliteration) in the original Greek appearing one hundred seventy-eight times, almost always as "angel" and a few times as "messanger". Angels were created at the very beginning by the Most High God, probably on the first day of creation (Genesis 1:1-5).
* "side" -"Side" in the original Greek is "kolpos" (a transliteration) and is translated in the KJV and its update, ASV, "bosom" an antiquated and thus misleading translation (See picture with note below.). Kolpos appears six times in the Bible.
The kolpos (Greek breast) is the blousing of a peplos, chiton, or tunic in Ancient Greek clothing, whereby excess length of the material hangs folded over a zone (a narrow girdle).
The fabric of the garment was typically cut longer than the shoulder-to-floor measurement of the women or men wearing it. The excess length was dealt with, at the waist (creating the kolpos) and optionally the top edge (creating the apoptygma). To create the kolpos, a zone was tied around the body below the breast (high-girdled) or at the waist (low-girdled) and excess fabric was pulled up over it. The fabric fell over the girdle so as to hide it, and was often pulled longer in back than in front. This fold was the kolpos. A second (visible) zone could be tied over the kolpos to redefine the waist, high or low. This might be hidden again by the apoptygma, the loose, folded down top of the peplos. (Wikipedia)
* A statue wearing a peplos (Greek). The kolpos (Greek) is visible as a fold over the hip, underneath the apoptygma (top edge of the peplos) hanging down almost to the same length.
* "buried" -The verb "buried" is "thapto" in the original Greek appearing eleven times, always translated as "buried".
* "hell" -The noun "Hell" is "Hades" (a transliteration) in the original Greek appearing eleven times, translated as "hell" ten times and as "grave" once. Literally it means a dark, obscure place. (Job 10:21-22; Isaiah 14:9)
Hades is the place to which the wicked go to await the final judgement. That torment begins in Hades in evident from the plight of the rich man (NIV Study Bible).
* "torment" -The noun "torment" is "basanos" (a transliteration) in the original Greek appearing three times each time translated as torment and anguish. Basanos was used by the Greeks particularly meaning the pain inflicted in order to induce men to make confession of their crimes. Torture is related to the meaning.
The Greek word "basanos" originally literally refers to a black touchstone (a stone used to test the purity of metals), as well as examination by torture, or torture itself. The gold or silver streak that was produced when they were dragged on the touchstone was examined to determine if the color proved them genuine.
The torment that the Spirit of God is not in hell and the soul is without a physical body. The soul is not in earth. Not even fallen angels (demon) want to exist without a body (Matthew 18:3; Mark 5:12; Luke 8:32).
* Jesus continued teaching on the subject of riches for before him were Pharisees who loved money and were sneering at him (14) and his poor disciples who gave up everything to follow him (15:1, 3; 16:1). He told them "The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus". The parable contrasts the life results of an unnamed rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury and Lazarus longed to eat what fell from the rich man's table (21).
Both men died, for whose body can sustain itself forever (22)? Hebrews 9:27 states, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." Though physical bodies die, the soul continues. The two men's souls had different destinies. Jesus did not directly state what determined their destination. He does go into great detail about the reasons the soul goes to one of two destinies many times elsewhere (Matthew 23:33; John 5:29, 6:51, 57-58, 11:25-26, 14:19).
The angels carried the poor man to "Abraham's side". The original Greek word translated as "side" is "kolpos" which refers to the fold of a Greek garment near the hips where valuables are kept safe. The rich man ended up in hell for the angels did not lift him up. "Hell" is the noun "Hades" in the original Greek. Jesus describes it well in this parable (23-24).
The rich man's lack of compassion for the poor man Lazarus shows his soul's state. He lived in luxury and ignored Lazurus. Being rich does not determine a person's destiny. However, being rich and keeping the wealth to one's own well-being shows that the love of God does not dwell in a person's heart. The rich man failed the test of wealth. He was given, but did not share.
Jesus is not teaching to take from the rich and give to the poor for that is akin to stealing. Rather, he is teaching the destiny of the stingy. He is also giving hope the those who are unable to find all the means necessary to support themselves.
>8. What did the rich man ask of Father Abraham?
* Luke 16:24 "So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'"
* Luke 16:27-28 "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'"
* Luke 16:24 "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.'"
* Luke 16:27-28 "Then the rich man said, "Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.'"
* "Father Abraham" -The rich man was a descendant of Abraham. The Bible shows that Abraham was a kind and generous man though he was rich (Genesis 18:2).
* "cool my tongue" -Seems to indicate he had a tongue. The original Greek noun "glossa" (a transliteration) appears fifty times in the Bible meaning more a language than a physical tongue.
* "because I am in agony in this fire" -Consider going through a hot desert without water for weeks.
* This is folio 78r of the "Codex Aureus Epternacensis" (the Manuscript of the Golden Gospels). An anonymus master made the drawing on parchment.
The top frame shows a rich man enjoying a luxurious banquet. A poor man named Lazarus patiently hopes for a few crumbs - which he will not get.
The other frames show what happened when the men die. Lazarus is taken to heaven, to Abraham's bosom. The rich man is not so lucky: he will have to burn forever.
This was scanned in by "Art and the Bible".
>Why couldn't Abraham grant his request?
* Luke 16:25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony."
* Luke 16:29 "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'"
* Luke 16:25 "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. 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."
* Luke 16:29 "But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.'"
* "there is a great chasm separating us" -If they could would Lazarus be protected from the rich man?
>How had the rich man failed to be a shrewd manager?
* "remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted"
* "Lazarus had nothing"
* "he is here being comforted"
* "you are in anguish"
*
>9. Why is listening to God's words and obeying them be so important?
* Luke 16:30-31 "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
* Luke 16:30-31 "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.' But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'"
* How many seek God and his righteousness? "Seek and you will find," promises Jesus (Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9). This is true if the Bible and God's people are but a few minutes away or in a place where they are hours away, even in areas where Christianity is illegal. The promise was true in all Israel during Jesus and John the Baptist's ministry.
The Lord Jesus will respond immediately if a soul will wholeheartedly seek him. Jesus' concluding statement in The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is not only confirming this truth, but also saying why it is true.
Abraham in the parable said to the rich man in hell, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." A heart that is closed will not accept the truth if they close their heart.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 16:27-31.
>How can Bible study help us make preparations for eternity?
* We can learn charity and mercy. These do not come naturally to the fallen heart. They need to be learned through practice.
The kolpos (Greek breast) is the blousing of a peplos, chiton, or tunic in Ancient Greek clothing, whereby excess length of the material hangs folded over a zone (a narrow girdle).