“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 16:31 Mean?
This is the punch line of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus — and it's devastating. The rich man, now in torment, begs Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his five brothers. Abraham's answer is blunt: they already have Moses and the prophets. If they won't listen to Scripture, they won't be convinced even by a resurrection.
Jesus is making a point about the sufficiency of God's revealed Word. The rich man assumes his brothers need something spectacular — a ghost, a miracle, undeniable proof. But Abraham says the problem was never a lack of evidence. It was a lack of willingness to hear what was already there.
This becomes even more striking in hindsight. Jesus Himself would rise from the dead, and many still wouldn't believe. The verse isn't hypothetical — it's prophetic. The issue has never been insufficient proof. It's always been the human heart's capacity to explain away what it doesn't want to accept.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Is there something in Scripture you already know to be true but have been waiting for additional 'proof' before acting on?
- 2.Why do you think we're drawn to dramatic spiritual experiences over the quiet, steady work of engaging with God's Word?
- 3.How does this parable challenge the idea that if people just saw enough evidence, they would believe?
- 4.What would it look like to take seriously what you've already been given, without waiting for something more?
Devotional
We live in an age that constantly asks for more evidence, more signs, more proof before committing to anything. And there's nothing wrong with honest questions. But Jesus, through this parable, exposes something deeper — sometimes the demand for "just one more sign" is actually a way of avoiding what you already know.
The rich man's brothers had Moses and the prophets. They had the entire testimony of Scripture telling them to care for the poor, to love mercy, to walk humbly. They didn't need a ghost. They needed to actually read what was in front of them and let it change how they lived.
This challenges a subtle habit many of us have — waiting for some dramatic spiritual experience before we act on what God has already made clear. You might not need another sermon, another book, another confirmation. You might just need to do the thing you've been reading about for years.
What has God already shown you that you've been waiting to feel more certain about before obeying?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Be persuaded - Be convinced of the truth; of the danger and folly of their way; of the certainty of their suffering…
If they hear not Moses, etc. - This answer of Abraham contains two remarkable propositions.
1. That the sacred writings…
As the parable of the prodigal son set before us the grace of the gospel, which is encouraging to us all, so this sets…
neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead
"We are saved by faithful hearing, not by apparitions,"…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture