Is the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 a parable or did it actually occur?

TL;DR:

Details in the account of Lazarus and the rich man show that this is probably a true story, not a parable. However, regardless of whether it is a parable or it actually occurred, it teaches us to focus on our eternal state before we die and it becomes permanent.

what does the bible say?

There are a couple clues that indicate that the story of the rich man and Lazarus is most likely a real story. Those details are 1) people being named, something that doesn’t happen in any parable, and 2) the overall structure of this story being different than parables. However, despite those details, it must be admitted that it does start very much like other parables, including the one that comes just before it about the rich man and the manager (Luke 16:1–9). In the end, while believers disagree as to whether or not the account is fictional, its point is clear. Jesus was teaching that outward appearances in this life are not sufficient grounds for determining whether or not someone is saved. One can appear to have everything in this life yet have nothing at all in eternity. Conversely, one might appear to be poor but be eternally rich. The second part of the story also shows us that the opportunity for salvation ends at death and that there is not even a tiny amount of comfort for those who are in Hades and, later, Hell. Therefore, we are wise to focus on our eternal state now, before we die, and it becomes fixed.

from the old testament

The account of Lazurus and the rich man is only found in the New Testament.

from the new testament

In Luke 16:19–31, Jesus described the afterlife of Lazarus and an unnamed rich man. In that account, Lazarus died and was taken to paradise while the rich man was taken to a place of eternal torment.
The primary argument for it being purely a parable is that it begins similarly to other parables in Luke (Luke 10:30, 14:16, 15:11, 16:1, and 19:12). Specifically, it begins almost word-for-word the same as the parable that comes right before it in Luke 6:1, both starting with, “there was a rich man ….” Despite the similarity in its opening, the specific details such as names of people reveal that it is likely a true story. No other parable has that type of specificity. Also, the general structure of the parable does not follow the typical parable outline.
Regardless of whether this event actually happened, or was simply an illustration, this passage provides us with five key insights into the afterlife. First, a person’s conscious awareness immediately continues after death, either with God or apart from God. We can see that when, soon as the poor man died, he was “carried away by the angels” (Luke 16:22). Similarly, after the rich man dies, he is said to go right to Hades (Luke 16:23).
Second, a person’s eternal destiny cannot be changed after this life—one cannot switch between hell and heaven after death. We can see that in Abraham’s response to the rich man’s request to receive a little relief from his torment. Abraham replied that that was impossible because “between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us” (Luke 16:26).
Third, there are only two destinations after death—Abraham’s side (in God’s presence) or Hades (eternal torment and separation from God). There is no other option given, such as limbo, purgatory, annihilation, soul sleep, or reincarnation.
Fourth, Scripture is the only means to bring salvation (Luke 16:30–31; c.f., Romans 1:16). The rich man was convinced that if someone from the dead came to life, his family would repent. However, Abraham assured him that if they didn’t listen to “Moses and the Prophets,” that is the whole of the Old Testament, then “neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.”
Fifth, Jesus emphasized the deficiency of wealth to bring salvation. Money can be used for either good or evil purposes, yet wealth can easily corrupt and certainly cannot change one’s status in the afterlife. Believers are called to use worldly wealth “to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18–19).

implications for today

Debate has occurred over whether the account of the rich man and Lazarus is purely illustrative (like a parable) or is an illustration using a real-life event.

Whether this illustration is drawn from a real-life account or not, it teaches us that one’s appearance in this life does not show what one’s eternal life will be like. There are those who teach that material wealth is a sign that God has blessed someone. Indeed, some go so far as to say that believers are supposed to have their best life now. However, after the rich man died having much wealth and earthly gain, he was told that he had already received everything good he would ever receive (Luke 16:25). If our best life is now, and not in eternity, then, like the rich man, eternity will be a time of torment. See Matthew 16:26.

However, though the rich man in this story went to Hades, Jesus was not teaching that all poor people go to heaven or that all rich people go to Hades. His point was that neither blessing nor lack in this life reveals a person’s eternal destiny. Instead, salvation is the same for both rich and poor. To be saved, we must acknowledge that we are sinners without the means to save ourselves (Romans 3:9–18), repent of our sin (Acts 3:19), and trust fully in Jesus’ work on the cross (Romans 10:8–13).

What if a believer has lots of money? That’s OK! God does sometimes bless believers monetarily. However, He does so for a purpose. They have been given the opportunity to use that wealth to help His church. By using their wealth to help other believers, they “store up treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20), being “rich in good deeds” (1 Timothy 6:17–19).

What if a believer is poor? As long as he is not being lazy (Proverbs 24:33–34), then that is also OK because, in this life, God has chosen to use each of us in different ways. Those with little money have the opportunity to show that they know God is with them by not becoming envious of rich people and instead being “content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5). Also, poor believers can also “store up treasures” by using the spiritual gifts God has given to them to help others (1 Corinthians 12:7). Whatever our state, rich or poor, we are to surrender to the Lord, be saved, and live to honor Him with all we have.

understand

Named characters like Lazarus and Abraham suggest that the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 is a real story, not a parable.
Parable-like structure ("There was a rich man...") leaves room for debate as to whether it is a real account or a parable.
Whether a parable or an illustration based on a real account, the main point remains the same: our eternal destiny is fixed at death and not based on wealth but on faith.

reflect

How does knowing that your eternal destiny is fixed at death shape the way you live today?
Are there areas in your life where you’ve assumed outward success equals God’s approval?
How are you using what God has given you—whether much or little—to live in light of eternity?

engage

What implications are there for us about the account in Luke 16:19-31 being a parable or based on a real life account?
What does this account reveal to us about the urgency of responding to God’s Word before death?
How can we encourage others to focus more on eternal realities rather than worldly status?