Bible Strands
Luke 16:30
‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The rich man in Hades addresses Abraham, responding to his prior declaration that his brothers already possess Moses and the Prophets. He speaks from a place of torment, assuming a post-mortem sign would alter his brothers’ unrepentant state.
The words — The Greek οὐχί (ouchi) translates literally as “No,” while ἐὰν (ean) means “if.” These terms structure the rich man’s conditional assertion that a messenger from the dead would secure repentance.
The thread — Abraham directly counters this assumption in Luke 16:31, stating that rejection of Moses and the Prophets guarantees rejection of even a resurrection witness. The stubbornness of unrepentant hearts under judgment also surfaces in Revelation 16:9.
Why it lands — The text records the rich man’s claim that extraordinary proof would change hearts, while the surrounding context explicitly denies that premise. Readers must confront whether they demand new signs rather than submit to the Scripture already provided.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Cross-references
- Luke 16:24 So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire.’
- Revelation 16:9 And the people were scorched by intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues. Yet they did not repent and give Him glory.
- Luke 3:8 Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
- Luke 13:5 No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
- Luke 13:3 No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.