Luke 16:29

Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Abraham {G11} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, They have {G2192} Moses {G3475} and {G2532} the prophets {G4396}; let them hear {G191} them {G846}.

But Avraham said, ‘They have Moshe and the Prophets; they should listen to them.’

But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’

But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Context of Luke 16:29

Luke 16:29 is a pivotal statement within the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, recounted by Jesus. In this parable, a wealthy man who lived in luxury dies and finds himself in torment in Hades, while the poor beggar Lazarus, who longed for crumbs from the rich man's table, is carried by angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man pleads with Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his five brothers, hoping to prevent them from suffering the same fate.

Abraham's response in this verse is definitive and profound: "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." This statement underscores a crucial truth about divine revelation and human responsibility.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Sufficiency of Scripture: Abraham's reply highlights the complete and authoritative nature of God's revealed Word. "Moses and the prophets" was a common Jewish idiom referring to the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures. It signifies that all necessary guidance for life, salvation, and understanding God's will was already available to the rich man's brothers. No extraordinary sign, like a resurrection from the dead, was needed for them to believe and repent.
  • The Importance of Heeding God's Word: The phrase "let them hear them" is a command to listen, obey, and internalize the teachings of the Scriptures. It implies that true faith and repentance stem from a willingness to respond to the truth already revealed. The rich man's brothers were not lacking information, but rather a receptive heart and obedience to what they already knew.
  • Human Responsibility: This verse emphasizes that individuals are held accountable for their response to the truth they have been given. The rich man's plea for a miraculous sign to convince his brothers is rejected because the existing revelation through the Law and the Prophets was entirely sufficient for them to understand God's demands and avoid eternal judgment. Their unbelief would be a choice, not a lack of evidence.
  • Finality of Post-Mortem Destiny: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of the parable (Luke 16:26) demonstrates that once death occurs, the opportunity for repentance and change of destiny is past. The focus shifts to the living and their responsibility to respond to God's Word while they still can.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Moses and the prophets" (Greek: Mousē kai tous prophētas) is a well-understood synecdoche in Jewish thought, representing the whole of the Hebrew Bible, which is the Old Testament. "Moses" refers to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses), and "the prophets" refers to the prophetic and historical books. This comprehensive term signifies the full body of divine instruction and revelation given to Israel, which contained ample warnings about righteous living, the consequences of sin, and the promises of a coming Messiah.

Practical Application

Luke 16:29 serves as a timeless reminder of the power and sufficiency of God's Word. For believers today, it reinforces the truth that the Bible is fully capable of guiding us into all truth, equipping us for every good work, and leading us to salvation. We should not wait for miraculous signs or extraordinary experiences to validate our faith or prompt our obedience. Instead, we are called to diligently study and obey the Scriptures we already possess.

This verse also speaks to those who may be skeptical or resistant to spiritual truth. It suggests that a lack of belief is often not due to insufficient evidence, but a refusal to heed the clear teachings and warnings found in the Bible. The call to repent and believe remains paramount, with the Scriptures serving as the primary means by which God communicates His will and offers salvation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 15:21

    For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

  • Luke 24:27

    And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

  • 2 Timothy 3:15

    And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

  • 2 Timothy 3:17

    That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

  • Isaiah 34:16

    Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.

  • Luke 16:16

    The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

  • Acts 17:11

    These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

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