Luke 16:29

My Notes

What Does Luke 16:29 Mean?

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Abraham responds to the rich man's request to send someone from the dead to warn his brothers: "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." The Scriptures are sufficient. No additional supernatural intervention is required beyond what's already been provided.

The rich man disagrees (verse 30) — he believes a messenger from the dead would be more convincing. Abraham's final word (verse 31) is devastating: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." The problem isn't insufficient evidence; it's unwillingness to hear. More evidence won't help the person who refuses to listen to the evidence already available.

The irony is prophetic: Jesus himself will rise from the dead, and the religious establishment will still refuse to believe. Abraham's prediction comes true: even resurrection doesn't convince those who've decided not to be convinced.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What additional 'evidence' are you waiting for that Scripture has already provided?
• 2.Why does Abraham insist that Moses and the prophets are sufficient?
• 3.How does the irony of Jesus' own resurrection not convincing the skeptics apply to modern demands for proof?
• 4.Where might your resistance to belief be about willingness rather than evidence?

Devotional

They have Moses and the prophets. That's enough. Abraham's answer to the request for supernatural proof is brutally simple: the evidence already exists. If they won't listen to what's already been given, nothing else will work either.

The rich man wants a spectacle. He wants someone from the dead to appear to his brothers — surely that would convince them. Surely a ghost would succeed where Scripture failed. Surely extraordinary evidence would overcome ordinary resistance.

Abraham says no. Not because ghosts aren't impressive, but because the problem was never the evidence. The problem is the ears. "Let them hear" — the capacity to listen is what determines the response, not the volume of the message. You can speak louder, send more messengers, even raise the dead — and the person who has decided not to hear will not hear.

Jesus tells this parable knowing he himself will rise from the dead. And the prediction will prove true: even resurrection won't convince the determined skeptic. The Pharisees will attribute it to deception. The guards will be paid to lie about it. The evidence of the empty tomb won't persuade those who've chosen their conclusion in advance.

If you're waiting for more evidence before you believe — if Moses and the prophets and the testimony of Scripture aren't enough — this parable says the problem isn't the evidence. It's you. The hearing is available. The question is whether you'll do it.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture