Luke 16:30

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

And {G1161} he said {G2036}, Nay {G3780}, father {G3962} Abraham {G11}: but {G235} if {G1437} one {G5100} went {G4198} unto {G4314} them {G846} from {G575} the dead {G3498}, they will repent {G3340}.

However, he said, ‘No, father Avraham, they need more. If someone from the dead goes to them, they’ll repent!’

‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.

Understanding Luke 16:30 KJV – The Rich Man's Plea

In Luke 16:30, we hear the desperate plea of the rich man from Hades to Abraham, seeking a miraculous intervention for his living brothers. This verse is a critical moment in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, where the rich man believes a spectacular sign—someone returning from the dead—is the only way to compel his family to repent and avoid his eternal torment.

Context of the Parable

This verse is the rich man's direct response to Abraham's assertion in Luke 16:29 that his brothers "have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." The rich man, having ignored these very warnings in his own life, now presumes that a more dramatic, supernatural event would succeed where the Scriptures failed. His plea underscores a common human tendency to seek extraordinary signs rather than heed the ordinary, yet sufficient, guidance of God's Word.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Sufficiency of Scripture: The parable, especially through Abraham's responses, powerfully asserts that God's revealed Word (represented by "Moses and the prophets") is entirely adequate for guiding humanity to repentance and salvation. No additional signs or wonders are fundamentally necessary for those with an open heart.
  • The Nature of Repentance: The rich man's idea of repentance is based on fear induced by a shocking event. However, true repentance (metanoeō in Greek, meaning a change of mind leading to a change of direction) is a heartfelt turning from sin to God, prompted by conviction from truth, not merely by dramatic displays.
  • Spiritual Blindness and Unbelief: The rich man's belief that a resurrection would guarantee repentance highlights a profound spiritual blindness. The parable implies that those who reject God's clear word will likely reject even the most extraordinary signs, as seen in the ultimate rejection of Jesus Christ, who indeed rose from the dead (Luke 16:31).
  • The Finality of Post-Mortem State: This verse, along with the rest of the parable, strongly suggests that one's eternal destiny is fixed after death, and there is no opportunity for repentance or change of fate beyond the grave.

Linguistic Insights

The term "repent" in the King James Version translates the Greek word metanoeō (μετανοέω). This word signifies more than just feeling sorry; it implies a complete change of mind, purpose, and direction in one's life, leading to a turning away from sin and towards God. It is a fundamental shift in one's moral and spiritual orientation.

Practical Application

Luke 16:30 offers several crucial lessons for believers today:

  • Heed God's Word Now: We are called to listen to and obey the Scriptures. We do not need to wait for a dramatic sign or a personal crisis to take God's warnings seriously. The Bible is sufficient for our spiritual needs and guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
  • The Urgency of Repentance: The parable underscores the importance of responding to God's call to repent and believe the Gospel during our lifetime. There is no promise of a second chance after death.
  • Faith Beyond Signs: True faith is not dependent on sensational experiences but on a humble and receptive heart that trusts God's revealed truth. Even after Jesus' own resurrection, many still refused to believe (Matthew 28:11-15).
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.

  • Revelation 16:9

    And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

  • Revelation 16:11

    And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

  • Luke 16:24

    And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

  • Luke 13:5

    I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

  • Luke 3:8

    Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

  • Luke 13:3

    I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

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