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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
CONCERNING THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS----CONCERNING CONSCIENCE AND CONFESSION----JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. 1. To-day it is requisite that we should explain the rest of the parable concerning Lazarus. Perhaps you may suppose that we have explained the whole of it; but I would not avail myself of any want of knowledge on your part, in order to deceive; nor would I give up the task, before I can go away with the assurance that I have explored all, as far as light is given me: as the husbandman, when he gathers the fruit of the vine, ceases …
Gregory of Nyssa
But we are also taught something besides, that the soul of Lazarus is neither anxious about present things, nor looks back to aught that it has left behind, but the rich man, (as it were caught by birdlime,) even after death is held down by his carnal life. For a man who becomes altogether carnal in his heart, not even after he has put off his body is out of the reach of his passions.
Theophylact of Ohrid
The wretched rich man, having received no relief from his lot, adds a request concerning others. See how through punishment he came to sympathy for others, and whereas before he despised Lazarus lying at his feet, now he cares for others who are not near him, and begs that Lazarus be sent from the dead to his father's house — not simply anyone from the dead, but Lazarus, so that those who had previously seen him sick and dishonored might now see him crowned with glory and in health, and those who had been witnesses of his poverty …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
He asks that Lazarus should be sent, because he felt himself unworthy to offer testimony to the truth. And as he had not obtained even to be cooled for a little while, much less does he expect to be set free from hell for the preaching of the truth. (de cura pro Mortuis habenda.) But some one may say, If the dead have no care for the living, how did the rich man ask Abraham, that he should send Lazarus to his five brethren? …
Ambrose of Milan
But it is too late for the rich man to begin to be master, when he has no longer time for learning or teaching.
Gregory the Dialogist
But after hope concerning himself is taken from the burning rich man, his mind runs back to the relatives whom he had left behind, because the punishment of the reprobate sometimes unprofitably instructs their mind toward charity, so that they then love their own spiritually, who here, while they loved sins, did not even love themselves. …
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