One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
Luke 16:22
Some things that are part of our popular culture in connection with death and the afterlife are very fanciful and have no basis in Scripture. However, Jesus does here confirm the idea that angels carry away the righteous dead.
Some have said that because this is a story that Jesus is telling, we should not get any ideas from it. In other words, because it is a story, some things could be inaccurate. But this is an unnecessary attempt to explain away difficulties. Yes, Jesus is telling a story, and we do not know if there was an actual person named Lazarus. But there’s nothing in the passage to dictate that there wasn’t.
In this verse Jesus is setting his hearers up for the next line of the story. To them, it would be shocking. They would expect for the rich man to be at Abraham’s side in Paradise.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your truth. It’s so easy for us to forget just how precious it is. We think that we have it all figured out, that we have a good handle on how things really are. But all we can really do is just stand in awe of your wisdom, your truth, and your power. You are holy, good, and pure. Even as your children, we are so different from you, you are so much higher and greater than anything we can understand. Your ways are much different from our ways. I will give you praise for this forever and ever. All glory be to you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and praise you, Amen.