Luke 16:30

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 16:30, within the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the tormented rich man in Hades makes a desperate plea to Abraham. He argues that the ordinary testimony of "Moses and the prophets" is insufficient to persuade his five living brothers to repent. Instead, he insists that only a dramatic, supernatural sign—specifically, someone returning from the dead—would be compelling enough to induce their repentance and save them from a similar eternal fate. This plea sets the stage for Abraham's definitive response concerning the sufficiency of God's revealed Word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, found in [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"). It directly follows Abraham's assertion in [Luke 16:29](/luke/16-29 "Abraham's Response to the Rich Man") that the rich man's brothers already possess "Moses and the prophets" as sufficient guidance for salvation. The rich man's counter-argument in [Luke 16:30](/luke/16-30 "The Rich Man's Plea for a Resurrection Sign") reveals his profound misunderstanding of faith and repentance, believing a spectacular sign is superior to divine revelation. The parable itself is situated within a broader section of Luke's Gospel (chapters 15-17) where Jesus addresses themes of discipleship, the dangers of wealth, and the nature of the Kingdom of God, often challenging the Pharisees' materialistic values and self-righteousness. The rich man's plea also serves as a poignant foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection and the varied responses it would evoke.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of an afterlife with distinct destinies was prevalent in Jewish thought, though specific details varied. "Hades" (Sheol in Hebrew thought) was generally understood as the realm of the dead, sometimes depicted with separate compartments for the righteous (often called "Abraham's bosom") and the wicked, separated by an impassable chasm, as illustrated in this parable. The phrase "Moses and the prophets" was a common Jewish shorthand for the entire Old Testament Scriptures, which were revered as God's authoritative revelation. In Jesus' time, there was also a cultural expectation for signs and wonders, particularly from a prophet or Messiah. Many sought miraculous displays as proof of divine authority, sometimes valuing them above the consistent teaching of God's Word. The parable challenges this mindset by asserting the supreme authority and sufficiency of the written Scriptures over any extraordinary sign.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 16:30](/luke/16-30 "The Rich Man's Plea for a Resurrection Sign") contributes significantly to several key themes within the parable and the broader Lukan narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **sufficiency of Scripture** for guiding humanity to repentance and salvation, a theme powerfully reinforced by Abraham's final word in [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Abraham's Concluding Statement"). Secondly, it highlights the **nature of true repentance**, distinguishing it from a mere fear-induced response to a dramatic event. Genuine repentance (Greek: _metanoéō_) involves a change of mind and heart, not just a reaction to external stimuli. Thirdly, the rich man's plea reveals **spiritual blindness and unbelief**, suggesting that those who refuse to heed God's clear word will likely remain unconvinced even by the most extraordinary signs. This theme anticipates the varying responses to Jesus' own resurrection. Finally, the parable reinforces the **finality of one's post-mortem state**, emphasizing that the opportunity for repentance is limited to earthly life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nay (Greek, _ouchí'_):** This word, meaning "not indeed," conveys a strong and emphatic negation. It highlights the rich man's absolute disagreement with Abraham's assertion in the previous verse that "Moses and the prophets" are sufficient. His use of "nay" underscores his conviction that a more dramatic, supernatural intervention is absolutely necessary, reflecting a profound lack of understanding regarding the efficacy of God's revealed Word.
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** Derived from a term for a corpse, this word refers to those who have physically died. In this context, it specifically denotes someone returning from the realm of the deceased, a truly extraordinary and miraculous event. The rich man's proposition of "one went unto them from the dead" signifies his belief that only such an unprecedented display of power could break through his brothers' spiritual apathy and compel them to change their ways.
* **repent (Greek, _metanoéō'_):** This term, a compound of "with" or "after" and "to think," means "to think differently or afterwards," leading to a moral reconsideration and change of mind. It implies a fundamental shift in one's moral and spiritual orientation, a turning away from sin and towards God. The rich man's understanding of repentance appears to be superficial, viewing it as an automatic consequence of a shocking event rather than a heartfelt, volitional turning prompted by conviction from truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Nay, father Abraham:"** This opening phrase immediately establishes the rich man's defiant and desperate counter-argument. His "Nay" (οὐχί, _ouchí_) is a strong rejection of Abraham's wisdom, indicating his firm belief that Abraham's proposed solution (Moses and the prophets) is inadequate. He still addresses Abraham respectfully as "father," yet contradicts him, revealing the depth of his conviction about the need for a sign.
* **"but if one went unto them from the dead,"** This clause presents the rich man's alternative proposition. He suggests that the only truly effective means of persuading his brothers would be a resurrection—someone returning from the afterlife to warn them. This reveals his assumption that a dramatic, undeniable supernatural event would bypass their spiritual resistance and compel them to believe, a stark contrast to the quiet, persistent testimony of Scripture.
* **"they will repent."** This final clause states the rich man's desired outcome and his firm conviction that such a sign would inevitably lead to his brothers' repentance. He believes that the sheer shock and undeniable nature of a resurrection appearance would force a change of heart and behavior, demonstrating his limited understanding of true repentance as a willing turning from sin, rather than a coerced response to fear.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the rich man, who himself ignored "Moses and the prophets" during his lifetime, now presumes to advise Abraham, the patriarch of faith, on how to effectively lead others to repentance. His suggestion for a dramatic sign stands in ironic contrast to his own failure to respond to the readily available divine revelation. The passage also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, subtly pointing to Jesus' own resurrection. The rich man's insistence that a resurrected person would compel belief sets up Abraham's profound rebuttal in [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Abraham's Final Word on Unbelief"), which ultimately proves true when many refuse to believe even after Jesus rises from the dead. Finally, the entire narrative is a **Parable**, a fictional story with a spiritual truth, used by Jesus to teach profound lessons about wealth, the afterlife, and the sufficiency of God's Word, making the abstract concepts relatable and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:30 is a powerful theological statement on the nature of divine revelation and human responsibility. It challenges the human tendency to demand extraordinary signs as a prerequisite for belief, asserting instead the inherent sufficiency and authority of God's revealed Word. The rich man's plea exposes a flawed understanding of faith, suggesting that a dramatic display would somehow bypass the need for a receptive heart and a willing spirit. Theologically, the passage emphasizes that true repentance is not coerced by fear or spectacle, but arises from conviction, often through the diligent hearing and application of God's truth. It also highlights the finality of one's spiritual state after death, reinforcing the urgency of responding to God's call in this life.

* [John 5:39-40](/john/5-39-40 "Jesus' Words on Searching the Scriptures")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "The Sufficiency and Profitability of Scripture")
* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "The Certainty of Death and Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The rich man's desperate plea in Luke 16:30 serves as a timeless warning and a profound call to introspection for believers today. We are often tempted to seek sensational experiences or dramatic signs as proof of God's existence or as a catalyst for deeper faith. However, this verse, through Abraham's implicit wisdom, reminds us that the ordinary, yet powerful, testimony of God's written Word is entirely sufficient for our spiritual nourishment, guidance, and conviction unto repentance. We do not need to wait for a personal crisis, a miraculous intervention, or a voice from the grave to take God's warnings seriously. The Scriptures are clear, accessible, and authoritative. Our responsibility is to listen, believe, and obey them now, while there is still time. The urgency of repentance is paramount, as the parable vividly illustrates that opportunities for change are finite and tied to our earthly life. True faith is not dependent on external theatrics but on a humble and receptive heart that trusts in the truth God has already revealed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Do I sometimes look for extraordinary signs or experiences rather than diligently engaging with God's Word?**
* **How does my understanding of repentance align with the biblical concept of a change of mind and heart, rather than just a reaction to fear?**
* **Am I taking the sufficiency of Scripture seriously in my daily life, allowing it to guide my decisions and shape my character?**
* **What steps can I take today to more fully heed God's Word and live in light of its truths?**

### FAQ
**Does Luke 16:30 imply that a resurrection would *never* lead to repentance?**

Answer: No, it doesn't imply it would *never* lead to repentance, but rather that it's not the *guaranteed* or *necessary* path to it, especially for those who have already rejected God's clear revelation. Abraham's response in [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Abraham's Final Word on Unbelief") clarifies that if people refuse to listen to "Moses and the prophets," they will also not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead. This highlights that the problem is not a lack of evidence or a sufficiently dramatic sign, but a hardened heart and a lack of willingness to believe God's established Word. The ultimate proof of this is seen in the varied responses to Jesus' own resurrection.

**Is this parable a literal description of the afterlife, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: As a parable, it uses narrative elements to convey spiritual truths, rather than providing a literal, exhaustive blueprint of the afterlife. While it reflects common Jewish understandings of Hades (Sheol) as a place with distinct compartments for the righteous and the wicked, its primary purpose is not to detail the geography of the afterlife. Instead, it teaches profound lessons about the finality of one's post-mortem state, the sufficiency of Scripture, the nature of repentance, and the dangers of neglecting God's Word in this life. The details serve the didactic purpose of the story.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rich man's plea for "one went unto them from the dead" finds its profound and ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the one who truly "went unto them from the dead," conquering death and rising victoriously from the grave. His resurrection is the greatest sign God ever offered humanity, the ultimate vindication of His claims and the cornerstone of Christian faith, as declared in [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "The Gospel Message of Christ's Death and Resurrection"). Yet, just as Abraham predicted in [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Abraham's Final Word on Unbelief"), many who witnessed or heard of Jesus' resurrection, or even saw Him perform miracles during His earthly ministry, still refused to believe and repent. The Jewish leaders, for instance, despite undeniable evidence, chose to suppress the truth, as seen in [Matthew 28:11-15](/matthew/28-11-15 "The Guards' Report and the Bribe"). This demonstrates that the issue is not a lack of a sufficiently dramatic sign, but a hardened heart unwilling to submit to God's truth. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, is the living embodiment of "Moses and the prophets" ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Jesus Explains the Scriptures on the Road to Emmaus")), fulfilling all that was written about Him. His call to repentance ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Jesus' Call to Repentance and Belief")) is therefore the ultimate and sufficient word from God, requiring faith not in a mere spectacle, but in the Risen Lord.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.