Parables of Jesus

[Richard1965]

Originally Posted by trettep

Lazarus is the leper that Jesus rose from the dead by the same name and the rich man is the High Priest Caiaphas. Lepers had to be lain at the gates because they were unclean.

I don't think it is pointing to Lasarus whom Yeshua raised from the dead, because there is no indication of this in the Parable...I wuld say that He is speaking of Elazar the faithful and obeidient Gentile servant of Abraham...You are focusing on the deacriptions and not on the positions of those in the Parable...Also, I read somewhere that this was only part of a bigger parable that spanned 2 or 3 chapters, like a five part Parable...I am still looking into the veracity of that theory...

[Torpedos]

his audience were the pharisees (Jews) who thought themselved better than the gentiles. to think that a gentile would be in abrahams bosom was a slap in the face to these self rightous people. While at the same time, the richman dressed in purple (jews) would be in torment.
this is part of the 5 part parable the Jesus was using to slap the pharisees back to earth. In fact, it does say that he only spoke to the masses in parables. Only when he was in secret with the 12 did he explain the parables ( and they still could not get it). If they did not get it, we will have a hard time getting it ourselves.

[nwcc]

Originally Posted by Torpedos

In fact, it does say that he only spoke to the masses in parables. Only when he was in secret with the 12 did he explain the parables ( and they still could not get it).

Doesn't John 16.25 suggest that Jesus spoke to the 12 in parables all the time too?