Is The Story Of The Rich Man And Lazarus A Parable? (Luke 16:19-31)

Yes it is a parable, but it's also satire. The rich man represents the Pharisees; Lazarus represents the gentiles.

Wealth is not bad, and the rich man was not in torment because he was wealthy. He was in torment, because he thought that he would be in Paradise then, but he wasn't.

The aspect of them being in torment or in bless is also a parable. The chasm is not physical, but a spiritual one. Neither Lazarus or the rich man can understand one another.

I researched this answer before responding. My references are the Liberty Bible Commentary and Believers Bible Commentary by William MacDonald. According to both this is NOT a parable. The reasoning is that parables are hypothetical illustrations and never name specific individuals. In this passage, not only is the beggar named (Lazarus) but also Abraham and Moses are spoken of. Abraham and Moses were real people. Also, Luke does not refer to this passage as being a parable as he so clearly does in thirteen other passages that are parables. Now for the interpetation: the rich man is in Hell not because he was rich. He lived his life for self taking care of his needs and living in luxury. The beggar suffered greatly lying outside the rich mans gate. The rich man showed that he did not have true saving faith in the Lord by his careless disregard of the beggar. The beggar, Lazarus wasn't saved because he was poor but because he trusted in the Lord for the salvation of his soul. This passage is an account of two lives, two deaths, and two hereafters. Abraham's bosom ( Heaven...where else would Abraham be?) and Hell (place of torment) are the two hereafters. Note in verse 26 ..."a great gulf fixed"... between the two. Once you die your destiny has already been decided and cannot be changed. Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement." Saved...eternity in Heaven; not saved eternity in Hell. The choice is yours to make now while there is still time.

sure it is. in the bible Jesus told the story to us that to repent cause there will come a time when it will be too late.the rich refused to help the needy because he thought his wealth will take him to heaven.

Yes it is, if you look at it, it describes the two extreme endings of man after judgment day, one in Paradise and one in the Fire of hell