Lesson 27

All the parables of Jesus have a relationship to reality otherwise they would not be relevant to people. Jesus based his parables around things his audience could relate to. Addressing the Jewish leaders, publicans and sinners along with his disciples, Jesus told another parable before the one with Lazarus. They can be recognised as parables by their introduction, ‘there was a certain rich man’, much like we would recognize a fable when it starts with, ‘once upon a time’. The Pharisees mocked Jesus and his teaching. Jesus explained that his story referred to them, and provided examples of how the Pharisees’ actions disobeyed the law and the prophets. Jesus then starts another parable that takes aim at the chief priest. Most rich men of the time could have dressed and eaten like the man in the parable. Some probably ignored the poor on their door steps, but few would have had 5 brothers that taught the law and prophets as teachers like Caiaphas did. Does the Bible define a parable?

Luke 16:1 King James Version
And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

Luke 16:19 King James Version
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Luke 16:14-21
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. 18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. 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.

Luke 16:27-29 King James Version
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.