while they wait for that rest and

eternal new life in heaven, which

is to succeed this region.  This

place we call The Bosom of

Here are two items exactly parallel: (1) the ministry of angels to the dead,

and (2) the name of this portion of hades -- The Bosom of Abraham.

'The rich man also died, and

'Now, as to hades, wherein the

was buried; and in hades he lift

souls of the righteous and

up his eyes ... Son, remember

unrighteous are detained, it is

that thou in thy lifetime

necessary to speak of it'.

receivedst thy good things, and

likewise Lazarus evil things: but

'This region is allowed as a

now he is comforted, and thou

place of custody for souls, in

art tormented'.

which angels are appointed as

guardians to them, to distribute to

them temporary punishments,

agreeable to everyone's behaviour

and manners'.

Here we have still further parallels; in both hades is a place where

punishments are meted out, before the day of judgment, agreeable to the life

lived on earth.

'And seeth Abraham afar off,

'They are struck with a fearful

and Lazarus in his bosom'.

expectation of a future judgment,

and in effect punished thereby: and

not only so, but when they see the

place of the fathers and of the

just, even hereby are they

'Father Abraham, have mercy

'Now those angels that are set

on me ... I am tormented in this

over these souls, drag them into

the neighbourhood of hell itself,

who, when they are hardby it,

continually hear the noise of it,

and do not stand clear of the hot

vapour itself'.

'Send Lazarus, that he may

'A chasm deep and large is

dip the tip of his finger in water,

fixed between them: insomuch

and cool my tongue ... between

that a just man, that hath

us and you there is a great gulf

compassion on them, cannot be

fixed: so that they which would

admitted, nor can one that is

pass from hence to you cannot;

unjust, if he were bold enough to

neither can they pass to us, that

attempt it, pass over it'.

would come from thence'.

No words of ours are wanted to make it abundantly clear that the whole

imagery of this parable is unalloyed Pharisaic doctrine.  As to sheol, the

parable differs from the teaching of the Old Testament, for no plain

statement is to be found there that teaches either consciousness or