Luke 16:20

Beggar. Gr. ptochos, from the word ptasso, “to crouch,” “to cower,” “to go cowering or stooping like a beggar.” Sometimes ptochos means simply “poor,” or used as a noun, “poor man” (see on Matt. 5:3).

Lazarus. Gr. Lazaros, a name derived from the common Hebrew name ’EVazar (see on Ex. 6:23), which means “God has helped.” It is to be observed that the name is most appropriate to the spiritual condition of the man in the parable who bears it. This is the only recorded instance where Jesus gave one of the characters in a parable a name, a procedure made necessary in this case because of the dialogue of the parable (see Luke 16:23-31). Although but a few weeks later Jesus actually did raise Lazarus of Bethany from the dead (see John 11:1-46), there is no connection between the man of the parable and the one who became the object of Jesus’ greatest miracle.

Laid at his gate. The rich man had a continuing opportunity to relieve the needs of Lazarus, but did not do so. To be sure, he did not mistreat the sufferer, who, he no doubt concluded, must be suffering under the judgment of God. His attitude was similar to that expressed by Cain when he said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). His relations with Lazarus did not involve the commission of wrong deeds, but rather the omission of deeds of mercy. He took a negative attitude toward his responsibilities in life, rather than a positive one. He knew nothing of the true meaning of the “second” great commandment of the law, which requires love toward one’s fellow men (see on Matt. 5:43; 22:39; 25:35-44). Like the Jewish nation, this rich man was doing no positive good, and was for that reason guilty of doing positive harm. All the advantages Heaven had accorded him were being appropriated to his own pleasure and gratification (see COL 291).

Full of sores. Or, “ulcerated.” The fact that Lazarus was “laid” at the gate indicates that he was an invalid, unable to move about by himself.