Luke 16:30 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The rich man protests: if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.
What Does Luke 16:30 Mean?
The rich man contradicts the patriarch — Nay, father Abraham — insisting Scripture is not enough for men like his brothers. He should know; he was one of them. Only something unanswerable, a messenger back from the dead, could shake them into repentance.
It is the world's oldest bargain: we would believe if God did something spectacular. But repentance is not a reaction to spectacle; it is a turning of the heart, and hearts unwilling to hear God's word find ways to dismiss wonders too. Jesus' own ministry proved it — crowds watched miracles and demanded yet another sign (Luke 11:29). The verse quietly asks the reader to stop waiting for a louder voice and to obey the one already speaking.
Luke 16:30 in the Original Language
metanoeo (μετανοέω), 'repent' -- to change one's mind, a turning of heart and direction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 16:30
What does Luke 16:30 mean?
The rich man protests: if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.