The rich man and Lazarus is a parable of Jesus from the 16th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Speaking to his disciples and some Pharisees, Jesus tells of an unnamed rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. When both die, the rich man goes to Hades and implores Abraham to send Lazarus from his bosom to warn the rich man's family from sharing his fate. Abraham replies, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."
Lazarus and Dives, illumination from the 11th-century Codex Aureus of Echternach Top panel: Lazarus at the rich man's door Middle panel: Lazarus' soul is carried to Paradise by two angels; Lazarus in Abraham's bosom Bottom panel: The rich man's soul is carried off by Satan to Hell; the rich man is tortured in Hades
Detail from the prefatory cycle to the Eadwine Psalter, Morgan Library leaf M.521 (recto), English c. 1160s
Illustration by Gustave Doré of the Rich man and Lazarus.
Illustration of Lazarus at the rich man's gate by Fyodor Bronnikov, 1886.
The parables of Jesus are found in the Synoptic Gospels and some of the non-canonical gospels. They form approximately one third of his recorded teachings. Christians place great emphasis on these parables, which they generally regard as the words of Jesus.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son by Guercino, 1651
A depiction of the Parable of the Ten Virgins on a stained glass window in Scots' Church, Melbourne
