The Banquet of the Rich Glutton name "Epulone" has been attached in Italy to the rich man, but also generically refers to a "feaster" (with pejorative gluttonous suggestion). The etymology of the word comes from a banquet sometime prepared in honor of the gods. The painting depicts a rich man after completion of his meal, with empty plates, surrounded by servants, while in the background, is the beggar Lazarus. The painting was purchased in 1895 from a Monte di Pietà, where such a painting would have resonated as both a "memento mori" and counsel towards charity. The painting would have been thematically antithetical to the still
Parables of Jesus the Old Testament. The use of parables by Jesus was hence a natural teaching method that fit into the tradition of his time. The parables of Jesus have been quoted, taught, and discussed since the very beginnings of Christianity. Parables are one of the many literary forms in the Bible, but are especially seen in the gospels of the New Testament. Parables are generally considered to be short stories such as the Good Samaritan, and which are differentiated from metaphorical statements such as, "You are the salt of the earth." A true parable may be regarded as an extended simile