Luke 16:31 - “He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 16:31" mean?
This verse, Luke 16:31, is the concluding statement of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. It carries a profound message about the nature of faith, spiritual blindness, and the importance of heeding God's existing revelation. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The parable tells of a rich man who lived lavishly and ignored a poor beggar named Lazarus. After both die, Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom, while the rich man suffers torment in Hades. The rich man pleads for Lazarus to warn his brothers about the afterlife to prevent them from suffering the same fate.
"Moses and the prophets": This phrase refers to the Hebrew scriptures, what we now know as the Old Testament. These writings contain God's law, his covenants, and the messages of his prophets. They serve as a guide to righteous living and warn against the consequences of sin.
"If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets": This highlights the key point: the rich man's brothers already have access to the truth. The scriptures provide ample evidence of God's existence, his moral demands, and the consequences of disobedience. If they choose to ignore this clear revelation, it's a matter of willful rejection, not a lack of information.
"Neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead": This is the crucial statement. It suggests that even a dramatic, undeniable miracle like resurrection would not convince those who are unwilling to believe the already-existing evidence. Their rejection stems from a deeper problem: a hardened heart, a closed mind, or a love of sin that prevents them from embracing the truth.
In essence, the verse means:
Willful Unbelief: The problem isn't a lack of evidence, but a resistance to it. People who choose to ignore or reject God's word in the scriptures are unlikely to be swayed by even the most spectacular miracles.
Heart Issue: True faith is a matter of the heart, not just the head. A miracle might provide a temporary shock or awe, but it won't necessarily lead to genuine repentance or a changed life.
Responsibility: We are responsible for responding to the revelation God has already given us. We cannot excuse our unbelief by claiming a need for more proof, especially when the Scriptures and even the created world testify to His existence and nature.
Significance:
This verse is significant because it challenges the common notion that more evidence or miracles would automatically lead to belief. It suggests that belief is a matter of the will, and those whose hearts are set against God will resist even the most compelling evidence. It also carries a warning to those who have access to the truth: Do not harden your hearts, but respond to God's revelation with humility and faith.
Luke 16:31 - “He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’”
What does "Luke 16:31" mean?
This verse, Luke 16:31, is the concluding statement of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. It carries a profound message about the nature of faith, spiritual blindness, and the importance of heeding God's existing revelation. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The parable tells of a rich man who lived lavishly and ignored a poor beggar named Lazarus. After both die, Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom, while the rich man suffers torment in Hades. The rich man pleads for Lazarus to warn his brothers about the afterlife to prevent them from suffering the same fate.
"Moses and the prophets": This phrase refers to the Hebrew scriptures, what we now know as the Old Testament. These writings contain God's law, his covenants, and the messages of his prophets. They serve as a guide to righteous living and warn against the consequences of sin.
"If they don't listen to Moses and the prophets": This highlights the key point: the rich man's brothers already have access to the truth. The scriptures provide ample evidence of God's existence, his moral demands, and the consequences of disobedience. If they choose to ignore this clear revelation, it's a matter of willful rejection, not a lack of information.
"Neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead": This is the crucial statement. It suggests that even a dramatic, undeniable miracle like resurrection would not convince those who are unwilling to believe the already-existing evidence. Their rejection stems from a deeper problem: a hardened heart, a closed mind, or a love of sin that prevents them from embracing the truth.
In essence, the verse means:
Willful Unbelief: The problem isn't a lack of evidence, but a resistance to it. People who choose to ignore or reject God's word in the scriptures are unlikely to be swayed by even the most spectacular miracles.
Heart Issue: True faith is a matter of the heart, not just the head. A miracle might provide a temporary shock or awe, but it won't necessarily lead to genuine repentance or a changed life.
Responsibility: We are responsible for responding to the revelation God has already given us. We cannot excuse our unbelief by claiming a need for more proof, especially when the Scriptures and even the created world testify to His existence and nature.
Significance:
This verse is significant because it challenges the common notion that more evidence or miracles would automatically lead to belief. It suggests that belief is a matter of the will, and those whose hearts are set against God will resist even the most compelling evidence. It also carries a warning to those who have access to the truth: Do not harden your hearts, but respond to God's revelation with humility and faith.