Topic(s): Bible Study, Eternity & Judgment

Todd Clippard

Whether or not this is a parable cannot be determined with any degree of certainty.

It is found in the midst of several parables, so contextually speaking, it could be a parable.

However, there are aspects to the account which tend toward the reality of the event. Primarily the fact that Jesus specifically identified one of the characters within the account. In no other parable is this done. If this were a parable, what is the point in giving one of the characters a name when "a certain beggar" would suffice to convey Jesus' point? Also, additional specificity in the account tends toward reality, such as the identification of Abraham and the rich man's statement, "I have five brothers."

Whether or not this account is a parable is irrelevant to what it teaches: 1) the eternal nature of man; 2) future reward or punishment after death; 3) recognition of one another after death; 4) remembrance of former life and deeds after death (and thus refutes the Jehovah's Witness doctrine of soul-sleeping and annihilation).