Luke 16:20A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores,
The setting
Palestine, ~30 AD. Jesus describes the beggar by name — unusual in parables. Lazarus means 'God helps'...
The emotion here: heartbroken over society's throwaway attitude toward the suffering
The original word
Lazaros (Λάζαρος) — 'God helps' or 'God has helped', from Hebrew Eleazar
Why it matters
Beggars were often placed at wealthy gates by family members who couldn't care for them
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 16:20
This is the ONLY parable where Jesus names a character — suggesting this was a real person
Common misconceptionMany assume Lazarus was spiritually superior because he was poor. The text doesn't say that. His only 'qualification' for heaven was receiving God's help — which is available to rich and poor alike.
Bible Genome reading
Luke 16:20 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 16:20 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include poverty, suffering. Notable phrases: beggar named Lazarus; full of sores; laid at his gate.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Luke 16:20 mean to you, today?
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