Luke 16:31

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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!’”

Berean Standard Bible

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.’”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:31 concludes the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus with Abraham's definitive statement that if individuals refuse to heed the established revelation of "Moses and the prophets"—the Old Testament Scriptures—they will remain unconvinced even by the most extraordinary sign, such as someone returning from the dead. This verse underscores the sufficiency of God's written Word as the primary means of conviction and repentance, highlighting that unbelief is often a matter of the heart's disposition rather than a lack of miraculous evidence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 16:31 serves as the climactic and conclusive statement in Jesus's profound [Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus"). The parable contrasts the earthly lives and eternal destinies of a wealthy, self-indulgent man and a poor, suffering beggar. After their deaths, the rich man finds himself in torment in Hades, while Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom. The rich man, now in agony, pleads with Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his five brothers, hoping they might avoid his own dreadful fate. Abraham first explains the unbridgeable chasm between the two realms, then delivers the final, decisive response found in this verse, directly addressing the rich man's desperate request for a supernatural intervention. This statement highlights the ultimate futility of seeking signs when divine revelation has already been abundantly provided.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "Moses and the prophets" was a common and comprehensive Jewish idiom referring to the entire body of Old Testament Scripture—the Law (Torah) and the Prophets (Nevi'im), which together constituted the complete divine revelation available to Israel. In first-century Judaism, there was a strong emphasis on the authority and sufficiency of these sacred texts for guiding life and understanding God's will. The idea of someone returning from the dead to deliver a message would have been considered the most astounding and undeniable sign imaginable, far exceeding any ordinary miracle. Yet, the parable's setting in Hades and Abraham's response also subtly critiques the prevalent Jewish expectation among some for dramatic, undeniable signs from heaven, suggesting that true faith is not contingent upon such spectacles but upon a humble reception of God's already revealed truth.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes central to Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the **Sufficiency of Scripture**, asserting that God's written Word is fully adequate for salvation and guidance, rendering extraordinary signs unnecessary for those with a receptive heart. It also highlights the theme of **Faith Over Signs**, emphasizing that genuine belief stems from an obedient response to revealed truth, not from sensational experiences. The parable, culminating in this verse, also underscores the **Danger of Unbelief**, portraying it not as an intellectual deficiency but as a moral and spiritual refusal to heed God's warnings, leading to eternal consequences. Finally, the narrative reinforces the **Finality of Judgment**, illustrating that after death, one's eternal state is fixed, and there are no further opportunities for repentance or intervention, as seen in the unbridgeable chasm mentioned in [Luke 16:26](/luke/16-26 "Luke 16:26 - The Great Chasm").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb means "to hear" in various senses, extending beyond mere auditory perception to include giving audience, understanding, and, crucially, obeying or heeding. In this context, it signifies a receptive hearing that leads to action and belief, not just an intellectual acknowledgment of information. Abraham's point is that if they do not *obey* or *heed* Moses and the prophets, no other sign will suffice.
* **persuaded (Greek, _peíthō'_):** This primary verb means "to convince (by argument, true or false)," "to pacify or conciliate," or, reflexively/passively, "to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty)." Here, it implies a deep conviction that results in a change of mind, behavior, and allegiance—a true conversion. The rich man's brothers, lacking this inner conviction from the Scriptures, would not gain it from a resurrection, because their issue was not lack of evidence but lack of willingness to be convinced.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto him":** This phrase marks Abraham's direct and authoritative response to the rich man's desperate plea, signifying the final word on the matter. It underscores the divine perspective being communicated through Abraham.
* **"If they hear not Moses and the prophets":** This conditional clause establishes the premise: the brothers' failure to "hear" (i.e., to heed, obey, and believe) the Old Testament Scriptures. "Moses and the prophets" represents the complete and sufficient revelation of God's will, including warnings about judgment and calls to righteousness and repentance.
* **"neither will they be persuaded":** This is the stark consequence of the preceding condition. Their unwillingness to be convinced by the established, authoritative Word of God means they will not be truly "persuaded"—that is, brought to genuine conviction and repentance—by any other means.
* **"though one rose from the dead":** This is a powerful hypothetical, presenting the most dramatic and seemingly undeniable sign imaginable. It is an extreme example to emphasize the point: if the ordinary, accessible, and sufficient revelation of Scripture is rejected, even the most extraordinary, supernatural event will fail to produce true faith.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 16:31 employs several potent literary devices. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "though one rose from the dead," presenting an extreme, almost unimaginable scenario to underscore the futility of seeking signs when the Word is ignored. This also functions as profound **Irony**, as Jesus himself would soon rise from the dead, and many would still refuse to believe, fulfilling Abraham's very statement. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** by juxtaposing the "Moses and the prophets" (the written, established, and accessible revelation) with the "one rose from the dead" (a sensational, extraordinary, and ultimately unnecessary sign for those unwilling to believe). This contrast highlights that the problem is not a lack of evidence, but a hardened heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:31 stands as a powerful testament to the sufficiency and authority of God's revealed Word. It asserts that divine truth, as contained in the Scriptures, is fully adequate to guide humanity to repentance and salvation. The verse challenges the notion that more dramatic or miraculous signs are necessary for faith, arguing instead that genuine belief stems from a humble and obedient reception of what God has already spoken. This principle resonates throughout the New Testament, affirming that the written Word is the primary instrument of conviction and transformation, capable of piercing the heart and revealing the path to life.

* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - The Sufficiency of Scripture")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living Word of God")
* [John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 16:31 serves as a profound warning and a timeless call to introspection. It compels us to examine our own hearts and our posture towards God's Word. Are we genuinely hearing and heeding "Moses and the prophets"—that is, the entirety of God's revealed truth in the Bible? Or are we, perhaps subtly, waiting for a more dramatic sign, a personal miracle, or an undeniable experience before we fully commit to Christ and His teachings? This verse reminds us that true faith is not built on sensationalism but on the steady, authoritative, and life-giving truth of Scripture. It challenges us to cultivate a humble, teachable spirit that diligently studies, believes, and obeys God's Word, recognizing that it contains all we need for life and godliness. Our eternal destiny hinges not on extraordinary proofs, but on our response to the ordinary, yet infinitely powerful, revelation that God has already provided.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be waiting for a "sign" or a dramatic experience rather than diligently heeding God's Word as it is already revealed?**
* **How does my daily engagement with Scripture reflect my belief in its sufficiency and authority for my life?**
* **What specific areas of my life need to be brought into fuller obedience to the truths I have already heard from "Moses and the prophets" (the Bible)?**

### FAQ

**What does "Moses and the prophets" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "Moses and the prophets" is a common Jewish idiom that refers to the entire body of Old Testament Scripture. "Moses" represents the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Law or Torah), while "the prophets" refers to the prophetic books and other writings that comprise the rest of the Old Testament. Together, they signify the complete divine revelation given to Israel before the coming of Christ, serving as the authoritative guide for faith and life. Abraham's statement implies that this existing revelation is fully sufficient for people to understand God's will, repent, and live righteously.

**Why would someone rising from the dead not persuade people who don't hear Moses and the prophets?**

Answer: Abraham's point is that the problem is not a lack of evidence, but a fundamental unwillingness of the heart to believe and obey God's truth. If individuals are unwilling to submit to the clear, consistent, and authoritative teachings of "Moses and the prophets"—which call for repentance, righteousness, and faith—then even the most astounding miracle, such as a resurrection, will not change their hardened hearts. Their unbelief stems from a moral and spiritual resistance, not from insufficient proof. The issue is not intellectual, but volitional.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 16:31 finds its most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. Abraham's statement, "neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead," serves as a chilling prophecy of the reception Jesus would receive. Jesus, the ultimate "one who rose from the dead," did indeed conquer death, as recorded in the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1-10 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection of Jesus"), [Mark 16:1-8](/mark/16-1-8 "Mark 16:1-8 - The Empty Tomb"), [Luke 24:1-12](/luke/24-1-12 "Luke 24:1-12 - The Resurrection Account"), [John 20:1-10](/john/20-1-10 "John 20:1-10 - Peter and John at the Tomb")). Yet, despite this unparalleled, undeniable miracle, many—especially those who had rejected the teachings of "Moses and the prophets" concerning the coming Messiah—remained unpersuaded. The Jewish leaders, for instance, actively suppressed the truth of the resurrection, even bribing the guards ([Matthew 28:11-15](/matthew/28-11-15 "Matthew 28:11-15 - The Guards' Report")). The apostles' preaching, centered on the resurrection, was often met with skepticism or outright rejection ([Acts 17:32](/acts/17-32 "Acts 17:32 - The Resurrection Preached in Athens")). Thus, Luke 16:31 powerfully foreshadows the reality that the greatest sign of all—Christ's triumph over the grave—would not compel belief in those whose hearts were already closed to the testimony of Scripture, demonstrating that true faith is a work of God's Spirit in a receptive heart, not merely a response to overwhelming evidence.

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

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;