LUKE 16:19 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:”
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day — the Rich Man and Lazarus story is not called a parable by Luke — it may be intended as a historical case or a story whose narrative features carry the weight of parable-like teaching. Purple and fine linen are the garments of extreme wealth and royalty. Lived in luxury every day: the daily, habitual indulgence.
Church Fathers on Luke 16:19
Our Lord had just before advised the making friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, which the Pharisees derided. He next confirms by examples what he had set before them, saying, There was a certain rich man, &c.
There was, not is, because he had passed away as a fleeting shadow.
But not all poverty is holy, or all riches criminal, but as luxury disgraces riches, so does holiness commend poverty.
Read all 17 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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