There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and feasted sumptuously every day:
All Commentaries on Luke 16:19 Go To Luke 16
John Chrysostom
AD 407
There was, not is, because he had passed away as a fleeting shadow.
Ashes, dust, and earth he covered with blue, and silk; or ashes, dust, and earth bore upon them blue and silk. As his garments were, so was also his food. Therefore with us also as our food is, such let our clothing be Hence it follows, And he fared sumptuously everyday.
But a parable is that in which an example is given, while the names are omitted. Lazarus is interpreted, “one who was assisted.” For he was poor, and the Lord helped him.
He lay at his gate for this reason, that the rich might not say, I never saw him, no one told me; for he saw him both going out and returning. The poor is full of sores, that so he might set forth in his own body the cruelty of the rich. You see the death of your body lying before the gate, and you pity not. If you regard not the commands of God, at least have compassion on your own state, and fearlest also you become such as he. But sickness has some comfort if it receives help. How great then was the punishment in that body, in which with such wounds he remembered not the pain of his sores, but only his hunger; for it follows, desiring to be fed with the crumbs As if he said, What you throw away from your table, afford for alms, make your losses gain.
Those sores which no man deigned to wash and dress, the beasts tenderly lick.
