The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: A Tale of Two Destinies

This parable illustrates the consequences of earthly wealth versus spiritual poverty, highlighting the importance of compassion and the eternal judgment.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: A Tale of Two Destinies

Luke 16:19-31

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.

Back to Index

A group of people are huddled together for warmth around a small fire at night. Their faces are calm and content despite their meager possessions, showing their inner peace and spiritual richness. The warmth and community shown in this nighttime scene contrast with the rich man's loneliness, highlighting the spiritual richness found in shared experience and compassion.

A detailed depiction of a lavish feast, showcasing an abundance of food and fine clothing. Yet, a subtle detail hints at the lack of joy and genuine connection among the guests, symbolizing the emptiness of material wealth. The lavish feast, subtly portrayed as joyless, underscores the hollowness of material wealth. It contrasts with the genuine joy and connection often found in simpler settings, directly related to the parable.

A depiction of a beggar's hand reaching out for scraps of food. The extreme close-up focuses on the texture of the skin, highlighting the suffering of the poor, while the background shows the contrast of a lavish banquet. This extreme closeup emphasizes the suffering of the poor and the indifference of the rich, which are central themes of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The juxtaposition is powerful.

Macro closeup of a single, withered fig, representing the fleeting nature of earthly riches, contrasting with the lush greenery in the background, symbolizing the abundance of heaven. This macro shot emphasizes the ephemerality of earthly possessions as contrasted with the enduring nature of spiritual wealth, reflecting the core message of the parable.

Macro closeup of a decaying coin, depicting the loss of earthly wealth in contrast to the spiritual wealth that is depicted by a glowing cross in the background. The decaying coin symbolizes the loss of material wealth, while the glowing cross signifies the spiritual riches that endure, aligning with the parable's themes of eternal reward and punishment.

Bright morning sun illuminates a field of blooming lilies, symbolizing the beauty and abundance of heaven. A lone, barren patch of earth in the foreground represents the rich man's desolate existence. The juxtaposition of heavenly abundance and earthly barrenness illustrates the rich man's spiritual poverty compared to the spiritual richness of those in need, reflecting verses 42:16:19-31.

A radiant sunrise casts a golden glow on a bountiful harvest, portraying heaven's abundance, juxtaposed with a single, dust-covered fig tree in the foreground, symbolizing the rich man's deprivation. The abundant harvest and the barren fig tree represent the contrast between spiritual and material wealth in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, highlighting the disparity between the two fates.

Evening scene: A lone figure sits by a small fire, in shadows under a star-filled sky, symbolizing despair amidst plenty. The warmth of the fire can be in contrast to the cold, harshness of his environment. The evening scene emphasizes the isolation and despair of the rich man in the afterlife, reflecting the punishment for neglecting the poor and focusing solely on worldly possessions.

Dusk settles over a barren landscape, reflecting the bleakness of the rich man's afterlife. A single flickering candle represents his fleeting moment of hope, small and insignificant compared to the vastness of the surrounding darkness. The desolate landscape and flickering candle capture the rich man’s regret and his limited hope for salvation, echoing the parable's message about the consequences of earthly greed.

Morning scene: A group of people feasting joyfully, their faces radiating happiness, contrast to a lone, sorrowful figure in tattered clothes in the distance, symbolizing the disparity between the rich man and Lazarus. The contrasting scenes highlight the social disparity and the rich man's lack of compassion, directly reflecting the narrative of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing the themes of wealth and poverty.

A group of people share a meager meal, but their faces show genuine contentment and peace. The morning sun symbolizes the blessings of heaven despite the material poverty. This scene focuses on the joy and peace found in spiritual wealth despite material poverty. This directly counters the rich man's suffering, aligning with the parable's central message.

Night scene: A wealthy man counts his gold, his expression one of greed and isolation, in his lavish but empty mansion. The darkness outside accentuates his spiritual emptiness. The imagery of isolation and greed in the darkness emphasizes the emptiness of material wealth, mirroring the rich man's spiritual isolation and the consequences of his actions.

overlayed with the bible verse 19. There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: A Tale of Two Destinies

Macro closeup of a single, withered fig, representing the fleeting nature of earthly riches, contrasting with the lush greenery in the background, symbolizing the abundance of heaven.
Macro closeup of a decaying coin, depicting the loss of earthly wealth in contrast to the spiritual wealth that is depicted by a glowing cross in the background.
Bright morning sun illuminates a field of blooming lilies, symbolizing the beauty and abundance of heaven. A lone, barren patch of earth in the foreground represents the rich man's desolate existence.
A radiant sunrise casts a golden glow on a bountiful harvest, portraying heaven's abundance, juxtaposed with a single, dust-covered fig tree in the foreground, symbolizing the rich man's deprivation.
Evening scene: A lone figure sits by a small fire, in shadows under a star-filled sky, symbolizing despair amidst plenty. The warmth of the fire can be in contrast to the cold, harshness of his environment.
Dusk settles over a barren landscape, reflecting the bleakness of the rich man's afterlife. A single flickering candle represents his fleeting moment of hope, small and insignificant compared to the vastness of the surrounding darkness.
Morning scene: A group of people feasting joyfully, their faces radiating happiness, contrast to a lone, sorrowful figure in tattered clothes in the distance, symbolizing the disparity between the rich man and Lazarus.
A group of people share a meager meal, but their faces show genuine contentment and peace. The morning sun symbolizes the blessings of heaven despite the material poverty.
Night scene: A wealthy man counts his gold, his expression one of greed and isolation, in his lavish but empty mansion. The darkness outside accentuates his spiritual emptiness.
A group of people are huddled together for warmth around a small fire at night. Their faces are calm and content despite their meager possessions, showing their inner peace and spiritual richness.
A detailed depiction of a lavish feast, showcasing an abundance of food and fine clothing. Yet, a subtle detail hints at the lack of joy and genuine connection among the guests, symbolizing the emptiness of material wealth.
A depiction of a beggar's hand reaching out for scraps of food. The extreme close-up focuses on the texture of the skin, highlighting the suffering of the poor, while the background shows the contrast of a lavish banquet.

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: The Parable of the Unjust Steward; The Rich Man and Lazarus

A link to this resource is much appreciated to let others know about this free christian resource. The AB Church in LAusanne-Renens is happy to make the image collection available for free.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Art

The dramatic contrast between the rich man and Lazarus has provided visual inspiration for artists throughout history. Here are some examples:

Paintings by various artists
Many artists have depicted scenes from the parable, often focusing on the stark differences in the lives of the rich man and Lazarus. These paintings might show the rich man feasting while Lazarus suffers, or the contrasting fates of the two men after death. Artists have explored different moments in the narrative, from Lazarus at the rich man's gate to their afterlife experiences.
Illustrations for Bible Stories
Illustrators creating visual narratives for biblical texts, particularly for children's Bibles, often include images of the rich man and Lazarus. These illustrations aim to make the parable accessible and understandable for a wider audience.
Mosaics and other media
The parable has also been represented in other artistic media, such as mosaics, stained glass, and even sculpture. These works of art offer different interpretations and perspectives on the story and its themes.

Search for images of "Rich Man and Lazarus art" on Google: examples of Rich Man and Lazarus art