Luke 16 ends with a story from Jesus concerning the intermediate state, the situation between this embodiment on earth and the resurrection. Jesus tells of a rich man and a poor man, Lazarus. The destination of the rich man is Hades (NIV & Greek Text). Lazarus, having died also, is at Abraham’s side. Jesus’ descriptions of these places, separated by a chasm, are consistent with Greek and Hebrew cultural conceptions of death.

Hades is a place of torment and agony: a dry, hot, wasteland. Furthermore, those in Hades are aware of others. The rich man is aware of Lazarus, speaks to Abraham, and knows his brothers have not yet arrived in Hades. He has two requests. The first echoes the self-centered way he lived on earth. He requests a drop of cool water, not even enough to swallow. When his first request is denied, his second request shows some concern for others – even being evangelistic. He asks for a message of warning to his brothers about Hades. Further asking, that someone should rise from the dead to tell them. He insists they would believe that. What prevents the sending of water from Abraham to the rich man is a gigantic chasm, impassable, which separates the two groups of people. But ironically, his second request is in a way granted.

Asserted by Jesus, though in the mouth of Abraham, is that both of them are getting what they deserved or earned. The rich man who ignored the troubles of his neighbor was now receiving troubles. The poor man, presumed to also be a righteous person, was now receiving comfort. The circumstances of their souls is such that the rich man does not want his loved ones to be with him, and their repentance, a change of heart and life, is sought.