Notes on Luke 16:16-31

Luke 16:16

law and the prophets. These represents the Old Testament age. John. Jesus's cousin, John the Baptist (see notes on 1:13-17; 3:1-21). From that time. The Old Testament age was superseded by the new age of Jesus and his kingdom. John was the last of the old prophets who had the privilege of preparing the way for Jesus (see notes on 7:24-30). As the promised Christ, Jesus preached the kingdom (Mark 1:15). force. Those who heard the good news and believe, strive against the world to enter into the kingdom (Matt. 11:12).

Luke 16:17

The old covenant law is still significant because Jesus fulfilled it (24:44; Matt. 5:17-18). Likewise, the law reflects God's righteous character, which doesn't change (Num. 23:19; Mal. 3:6; Jas. 1:7). But the Pharisees did live according to this law (v. 18). stroke of a letter. Small marks that distinguished letters in the Hebrews alphabet. Jesus emphasized the importance of all God's Word.

Luke 16:18

Some rabbis in Jesus's day twisted God's law, which permitted divorce because of sexual immorality (Deut. 24:1-4), to allow divorce for any reason. This was an example of Pharisee's hypocrisy (vv. 14-15). They boasted about keeping the law, but actually tried to escape its godly intent (11:37-44; Matt. 23:2-3). divorces. Elsewhere, Jesus and his apostle, Paul, allow for divorce in cases of sexual immorality (Matt. 5:32; 19:9) and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Cor. 7:10-11). However, divorce is never mandated, for it results from sin (Mal. 2:14, 16). commits adultery. Because the married couple is one flesh the marriage is meant to be permanent (Gen. 2:24). If divorce occurs on unbiblical grounds, remarriage is forbidden as the divorce is considered invalid. Thus, remarriage after an unbiblical divorce is considered adultery.

Luke 16:19-31

This passage is unique to Luke. Unlike every other place in the last two chapters, Luke does not introduce this by saying, Jesus taught a parable. Furthermore, most of the characters in Jesus's parables are anonymous. We hear about a shepherd, a woman, a father, but here Jesus broke social convention to highlight a poor man's name. This story describes not just the coming judgment or a divine banquet, but the afterlife itself. Thus, some believe this story is rooted in actual events. But, the introduction is very similar to other parables (10:30; 14:16; 15:11; 16:1; 19:12), and continues Jesus's teaching on the dangers of money and the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (see notes on vv. 14-18).

Luke 16:19

rich man. See note on 16:1. purple and fine linen. Indications of the man's wealth and self-indulgent lifestyle. enjoying. Specifically, with feasting. Another sign of his great wealth as well as his indifference to the needs of the poor (vv. 20-21).

Luke 16:20

Lazarus. A form of the Hebrew name Eleazar, which means God helps. Not the same person whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:17-44). was laid. Indicates someone else put him there. He was either lame or too weak from hunger (v. 21) to move by himself. He was put there because the poor were often taken care of by the wealthy in that time.

Luke 16:21

longing to eat. He was given nothing though the rich man had plenty (see note on v. 19). dogs. Not domesticated pets, but scavengers. licked. Lazarus was unable to get away from the dogs. These rendered him ritually unclean.

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