Luke 16:20

Λάζαρος gives the impression of a story from real life, but the name for the poor man is introduced for convenience in telling the tale. He has to be referred to in the sequel (Luke 16:24). No symbolic meaning should be attached to the name. πρὸς τὸν πυλῶνα αὐτοῦ : Lazarus is brought into relation with the rich man. This favours the view that the moral is the folly of neglecting beneficence. If the story were meant to illustrate merely the reversals of lot, why not describe Lazarus' situation in this world without reference to the rich man? Is he placed at his door simply that he may know him in the next world? εἱλκωμένος : covered with ulcers, therefore needing to be carried to the rich man's gate; supposed to be a leper, hence the words lazaretto, lazar, etc.