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9. The rich man then appeals to Abraham to send Lazarus to testify to his five brothers. How he thought Lazarus would go we are not told or even if the rich man had thought about the matter. Would he go as a spirit? Abraham speaks of rising from the dead, so that what the rich man was really asking for was for Lazarus to be raised from the dead. Would his brothers have taken any notice of him if he had. Abraham says not. Remarkably though there was a Lazarus raised from the dead during the lifetime of Christ and his resurrection did not result in the chief priests being converted for they sought to put Lazarus to death as well as Christ. (John 12:9-11). Then Christ was raised from the dead and the Pharisees and the nation at large still disbelieved. One wonders, incidentally whether the five brothers were amongst those who were listening to Christ's discourse.
10. The narrative is very solemn, but we must remember that it was given to those who were mocking (sneering at) Christ (Luke 16:14). We must remember that God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7). Further the persons who were doing this were Pharisees and the verse in Luke just quoted says that they were covetous. This would explain why Christ spoke of a rich man. It does not say that he had committed crimes (murder, theft, adultery etc.) though he may well have done, and it is to be noted in this connection that after the mocking Christ speaks of adultery (verse 18).
11. Abraham speaks of Moses and the prophets. The New Testament books had at the time when Christ was speaking not yet been written. However, the books mentioned are still valuable and should be read and studied by Christians. Much that is said in the New Testament is backed up by quotations from the Old, which shows that it still has great value for us all.
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