Luke 16:31

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto him {G846}, If {G1487} they hear {G191} not {G3756} Moses {G3475} and {G2532} the prophets {G4396}, neither {G3761} will they be persuaded {G3982}, though {G1437} one {G5100} rose {G450} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}.

But he replied, ‘If they won’t listen to Moshe and the Prophets, they won’t be convinced even if someone rises from the dead!’”

Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.

Commentary

Context

Luke 16:31 concludes the significant Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. In this parable, a wealthy man lives a life of luxury while a poor beggar named Lazarus suffers at his gate. Both die, and the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades, while Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom. The rich man pleads with Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his five brothers, hoping they might avoid his fate. This verse is Abraham's definitive response, highlighting the ultimate futility of such a request.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Sufficiency of Scripture: The phrase "Moses and the prophets" refers to the entire Old Testament law and prophetic writings. Abraham's statement underscores that God has already provided sufficient revelation through His written Word for humanity to understand His will, repent, and live righteously. No further extraordinary sign or miracle is needed beyond what is already revealed.
  • Faith Over Signs: The verse powerfully conveys that genuine faith comes from heeding and believing God's revealed truth, not from sensational or supernatural events. If people are unwilling to believe the clear teachings of Scripture, they will not be convinced even by the most astounding miracle, such as someone returning from the dead. This foreshadows the general unbelief many would show even after Jesus Himself rose from the dead.
  • The Danger of Unbelief: The rich man's brothers, like the rich man himself, are condemned not for a lack of opportunity or evidence, but for their deliberate choice to ignore and reject the divine warnings and instructions already available to them through God's Word. Their spiritual blindness is a matter of the heart, not of insufficient proof.
  • Finality of Judgment: The parable also subtly reinforces the idea that once judgment is set, there is no crossing over between the realms of the blessed and the tormented, nor any opportunity for a second chance to repent after death.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Moses and the prophets" (Greek: Mōsēōs kai tōn prophētōn) was a common Jewish expression encompassing the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures, signifying the complete body of divine revelation given to Israel. The word "persuaded" (Greek: peithō) implies not just intellectual assent but a deep conviction that leads to a change of mind, behavior, and allegiance. Abraham's point is that if the established, authoritative Word of God cannot bring about such a change, no dramatic sign will.

Practical Application

Luke 16:31 serves as a timeless warning and encouragement for all generations. It challenges us to seriously consider our response to God's Word. If we truly desire to understand God's will and secure our eternal destiny, we must diligently study and obey the Scriptures, which are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The verse reminds us that extraordinary signs are not prerequisites for faith; rather, a humble and obedient heart that heeds God's existing revelation is what truly matters. It calls us to respond to the truth revealed in the Bible now, before it is too late.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 4:3

    But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

  • John 11:43

    And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

  • John 11:53

    Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

  • Acts 28:23

    ¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.

  • Acts 19:8

    ¶ And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:11

    Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

  • John 12:10

    But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
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