The Rich Man and Lazarus
A rich man lives in luxury while a poor beggar named Lazarus suffers at his gate. Both die, and their positions are reversed for eternity.
Luke 16:19-31
Take the Luke 16 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore Luke Chapters
Study all chapters of Luke
The Story
Jesus said: '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 Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
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."
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. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us."
He answered, "Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment."
Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them."
"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."'
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Kids Version
Jesus told a serious story:
There was a VERY rich man. He wore the fanciest clothes and ate the best food every single day. His house was like a palace!
Right outside his gate sat a poor man named Lazarus. Lazarus was sick and hungry. He had sores all over his body. He just wanted to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. But the rich man ignored him every day.
One day, Lazarus died. Angels carried him to heaven, where he sat right next to Abraham!
The rich man died too. But he didn't go to heaven. He went to a terrible place of suffering.
From far away, the rich man saw Lazarus, happy and comfortable with Abraham. 'Father Abraham!' he called. 'Please send Lazarus to bring me just ONE drop of water! I'm in so much pain!'
But Abraham said, 'Remember—you had everything good while you were alive. Lazarus had nothing but suffering. Now he's comforted and you're in agony. And there's no way to cross from here to there.'
'Then please send Lazarus to warn my brothers!' the rich man begged. 'So they don't end up here!'
'They have the Bible,' Abraham said. 'They should listen to it.'
'No, but if someone comes back from the dead, THEN they'll believe!'
'If they won't listen to Scripture, they won't believe even if someone rises from the dead.'
This story warns us: Don't ignore God or ignore people in need. And don't wait until it's too late to listen to God's Word!
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from Luke.
Characters in This Story
Scripture — Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)
19There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22And 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;
23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24And 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.
25But 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.
26And 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.
27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Memory Verse
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
— Luke 16:19 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from Parables of Jesus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” in the Bible?
A rich man lives in luxury while a poor beggar named Lazarus suffers at his gate. Both die, and their positions are reversed for eternity. This story is found in Luke 16:19-31.
Where is “The Rich Man and Lazarus” found in the Bible?
“The Rich Man and Lazarus” is found in Luke 16:19-31, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “The Rich Man and Lazarus”?
This story teaches children about Eternity, Compassion, Judgment, Listening to Scripture. A rich man ignored a poor beggar every day. When they both died, everything was reversed—the poor man was comforted, and the rich man suffered. It's a warning about ignoring God and others.