Verse 20
20. Named Lazarus The abbreviated form of Eleazar, signifying, “God is my help;” a very suitable name for one who had no sympathy from man, and very little aid from the brutes. But, besides this suitableness, it is very probable that our Lord was soon to be on his way to raise Lazarus of Bethany from the dead; a circumstance which not only sheds a peculiar illustration upon Luke 16:31, but suggests the reason why Jesus at this time adopted that name for the parable. See notes on Luke 13:32. Two messages had just been announced to Jesus: one that his friend Lazarus is dead; the other that his own life is threatened by Herod. To the silver-loving Pharisees, followers of Herod, he might now say: Let a Lazarus be as poor as a perishing beggar, and an Antipas rich as a prince, yet the destiny of the former is infinitely preferable to that of the latter.
Laid at his gate Deposited there with the hope of attracting the rich man’s pity. The portals of the wealthy were the customary resort for mendicants.
Full of sores Ulcerated; one of the natural effects of a mendicant’s life.
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