And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Greek word for Lazarus's condition, meaning "ulcerated," suggests a pervasive and offensive physical state, not just a few sores. This medical term highlights the utter degradation of his suffering, a stark contrast to the rich man's opulent lifestyle just inside the gate.
And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage immediately follows the parable Jesus told about the shrewd manager, continuing the theme of how wealth is used and its eternal consequences. It introduces a stark contrast between a rich man and a desperately poor man named Lazarus, who is literally thrown at the rich man's gate, covered in sores and left to suffer. The description emphasizes Lazarus's utter destitution and affliction, setting the stage for the dramatic afterlife encounter between these two figures.
In a world that often overlooks the suffering, this verse introduces a man whose name itself speaks volumes. What does it mean that God remembers even those society forgets?
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is striking because it gives a name to the suffering man, while the rich man remains nameless. This isn't an accident. Lazarus, a shortened form of Eleazar, means "God is help."
A Name with Meaning
Lazarus wasn't just without resources; his physical state was extreme. What does his position at the gate reveal about his desperate need and societal neglect?
The description of Lazarus being "laid at his gate" paints a vivid picture of utter helplessness. He wasn't merely poor; he was incapacitated and dependent.
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The Depths of Desperation
Understand the original words
Lazaros · Greek Noun
A name meaning 'God is my help.' It signifies dependence on divine mercy rather than earthly security or status.
This parable, likely told during Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, contrasts the eternal fates of a wealthy, self-indulgent man and a suffering, poor man named Lazarus. The use of a specific name for the poor man, Lazarus (meaning 'God is my help'), highlights the spiritual significance of his suffering and eventual vindication, while the rich man remains unnamed, emphasizing his lack of true spiritual identity.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus teaches in Galilee and Judea
Jesus travels and teaches, performing miracles, gathering disciples, and encountering opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' final week in Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, teaches in the temple, shares the Last Supper, is betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified.
c. AD 30-33
Resurrection and Ascension
Jesus is raised from the dead, appears to his followers over forty days, and ascends into heaven.
c. AD 40s-60s
Gospel of Luke written
Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, compiles his account of Jesus' life and ministry, likely for a Gentile audience.
This passage highlights a similar theme of the wealthy oppressing the poor, serving as a stark contrast to the neglect Lazarus experienced, emphasizing a societal failure to care for the vulnerable.
Job 30:1-7This lament from Job vividly describes severe physical suffering and social ostracism, echoing Lazarus's state of being 'covered with sores' and cast aside by society.
Amos 5:11-12This prophetic denunciation condemns those who trample on the poor and take bribes, illustrating the kind of injustice and disregard for the needy that Lazarus likely faced from the wealthy.
Matthew 25:35-40Jesus' teaching on feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, and clothing the naked directly addresses the responsibility of care for those in need, framing the neglect of individuals like Lazarus as a neglect of Christ himself.
vincentLuke 16:20: "And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,"
BeggarSee on poor, Matthew 5:3.LazarusAbbreviated from Ἐλεάζαρος, Eleazar, and meaning God a help. "It is a striking evidence of the deep impression which this parable has made on the mind of Christendom, that the term azar should have passed into so many languages as it has, losing altogether its signification as a proper name" (Trench).Was laid (ἐβέβλητο)Lit., was thrown: east carelessly…
clarkeLuke 16:20: "And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,"
There was a certain beggar named Lazarus - His name is mentioned, because his character was good, and his end glorious; and because it is the purpose of God that the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. Lazarus, לעזר is a contraction of the word אלעזר Eliezar, which signifies the help or assistance of God - a name properly given to a man who was both poor and afflicted, and had…
The Greek word for Lazarus's condition, meaning "ulcerated," suggests a pervasive and offensive physical state, not just a few sores. This medical term highlights the utter degradation of his suffering, a stark contrast to the rich man's opulent lifestyle just inside the gate.
This passage immediately follows the parable Jesus told about the shrewd manager, continuing the theme of how wealth is used and its eternal consequences. It introduces a stark contrast between a rich man and a desperately poor man named Lazarus, who is literally thrown at the rich man's gate, covered in sores and left to suffer. The description emphasizes Lazarus's utter destitution and affliction, setting the stage for the dramatic afterlife encounter between these two figures.
This passage immediately follows the parable Jesus told about the shrewd manager, continuing the theme of how wealth is used and its eternal consequences. It introduces a stark contrast between a rich man and a desperately poor man named Lazarus, who is literally thrown at the rich man's gate, covered in sores and left to suffer. The description emphasizes Lazarus's utter destitution and affliction, setting the stage for the dramatic afterlife encounter between these two figures.
"And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores." — The Greek word for Lazarus's condition, meaning "ulcerated," suggests a pervasive and offensive physical state, not just a few sores. This medical term highlights the utter degradation of his sufferi…
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Last reviewed October 2026