And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

LUKE 16:31KJV
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Luke 16:31 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:31 mean?

Luke 16:31 says that if people do not listen to what Moses and the prophets have already said, they will not be convinced even if someone comes back from the dead to warn them. The verse highlights the idea that a miraculous sign is not enough to change a closed mind if someone ignores the clear message already given.

In this verse, Jesus is telling a story about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The speaker is Abraham, responding to the rich man's request that Lazarus be sent back to warn his brothers. Abraham’s answer stresses that the teachings found in the Scriptures (called "Moses and the prophets") are already sufficient for people to understand what God wants from them. The verse suggests that those who refuse to listen to these teachings are unlikely to be persuaded by even the most dramatic miracles.

The Greek behind Luke 16:31

  • πείθω (peithō, "persuaded"): This word means to convince or win over. The Greek here carries the sense of a deep, inner change of mind, not just being impressed or startled.
  • ἀκούω (akouō, "hear"): This word means more than just hearing sounds; it often implies paying attention and responding. The verse points out that real listening involves a willingness to be changed by what is heard.
  • ἐκ νεκρῶν (ek nekrōn, "from the dead"): This phrase refers to someone returning from the realm of the dead. The use of this strong image underlines how even the most astonishing event would not sway someone who is set against believing.

Why Luke 16:31 matters

  • Luke 16:31 clears up the idea that miracles alone are enough to produce faith; it shows that a person’s openness to God’s message is more important than witnessing supernatural events.
  • The verse connects the story to the broader theme in Luke’s Gospel about the sufficiency and authority of the Scriptures for guiding people to truth.
  • Luke 16:31 helps explain why, later in the Gospel, some people do not believe even after Jesus’ own resurrection, highlighting the importance of a receptive heart.

Where else these words appear

“persuaded” Greek G3982 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
  • Acts 23:21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
  • Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

“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.

“rose” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

“dead” Greek G3498 · used in 123 verses

  • Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
  • Acts 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: