Bible Strands
Luke 16:31
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.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abraham replies to the rich man’s request that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers. The dialogue occurs in the realm of the dead, immediately following the rich man’s claim that a resurrection would compel repentance.
The words — εἰ (ei) means “if,” framing the statement as a conditional that ties the rejection of Moses and the Prophets to an inability to be persuaded by a resurrection. The phrase τῶν προφητῶν (tōn prophētōn) refers to the collective body of prophetic writings.
The thread — The pattern of hardened hearts despite divine revelation runs through 2 Corinthians 4:3, where the gospel remains veiled to those perishing. Jesus’ raising of Lazarus in John 11:43 and Paul’s scriptural teaching in Acts 28:23 show that resurrection and exposition require a receptive heart rather than producing one automatically.
Why it lands — The text states that Scripture holds sufficient authority to produce repentance, making a post-mortem miracle unnecessary for those who already reject it. It requires the reader to submit to the written witness of Moses and the Prophets rather than demanding additional signs.
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 unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
- Acts 28:23 So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets.
- John 12:10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
- Acts 19:8 Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
- Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”
- 2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
- Genesis 9:27 May God expand the territory of Japheth; may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.”