Failure and Prospect ― Lazarus and the Rich Man, Luke 16:19-31, in the Context of Luke-acts

Bredenhof examines the features and functions of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31) as a narrative, considers its persuasiveness as a rhetorical unit, and situates it within a Graeco-Roman and Jewish intertextual conversation on the themes of wealth and poverty and authoritative revelation.

Bredenhof shows how the parable offers its audience a prospect for alternative outcomes in response both to poverty and to a person who has risen from the dead. This prospect comes into view when the parable is read in anticipation of the ethical and theological concerns of Luke's second volume. Reading within the context of Luke-Acts contributes to the understanding of Luke's purposes with this narrative, for in Acts his audience witnesses the parable's message about mercy being made concrete through charitable initiatives in the community of believers. Accounts of the preaching and teaching in Acts demonstrate that a true reading of “Moses and the prophets” is inseparably joined to the believing acceptance of one risen from the dead. Through a re-reading of Luke 16:19-31 in its Luke-Acts context, its message is amplified and commended to the parable's audience for their response.