Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

LUKE 16:29KJV
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Luke 16:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:29 mean?

Luke 16:29 shows Abraham telling the rich man that his brothers already have access to the teachings of Moses and the prophets, so they should listen to those writings. The verse emphasizes that the guidance needed for life and faith has already been given through these scriptures.

In this story, Jesus is telling a parable where a rich man, suffering after death, begs Abraham to warn his living brothers. Abraham replies that the brothers have the writings of Moses and the prophets to guide them. The verse highlights the sufficiency and authority of the Hebrew Scriptures for knowing what God expects.

The Greek behind Luke 16:29

  • ἀκούω (akouō, "hear"): This word means more than just listening; it often carries the sense of truly paying attention or obeying. Abraham is saying the brothers should not just hear the words but take them seriously.
  • Μωϋσῆς (Mōysēs, "Moses") and προφῆται (prophētai, "prophets"): Mentioning both Moses and the prophets refers to the whole of the Hebrew Scriptures, not just a part. This shows that the full message of God is already available to the brothers.

Why Luke 16:29 matters

  • Luke 16:29 clears up the idea that people need a miraculous sign to believe or change; it stresses that the scriptures themselves are enough guidance.
  • The verse connects to the larger parable by showing that responsibility lies with those who have already received God’s message, not with those who ask for extra proof.
  • It highlights how Jesus viewed the authority and sufficiency of the Hebrew Scriptures for understanding God’s will.

Where else these words appear

“Abraham” Greek G11 · used in 69 verses

  • Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
  • John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.

“Moses” Greek G3475 · used in 79 verses

  • Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
  • John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
  • Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

“prophets” Greek G4396 · used in 143 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
  • Acts 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?