Luke 16:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Abraham answers: those who will not hear Moses and the prophets will not be persuaded even if one rises from the dead.
What Does Luke 16:31 Mean?
Abraham has the last word, and with it the parable simply stops — no scene of the brothers, no verdict on their future. The story ends at the listener's feet. Hearing the written word and being persuaded by resurrection stand or fall together; a heart shut against the one will bolt the door against the other.
The sentence reaches past the story with quiet thunder, for One did rise from the dead. Some who would not hear Moses refused Him exactly as foretold — 'had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me' (John 5:46-47) — while those with ears to hear found in the risen Lord the confirmation of all that was written. The parable's final mercy is its timing: it ends while the brothers still live, while the reader still lives, while hearing is still possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 16:31
What does Luke 16:31 mean?
Abraham answers: those who will not hear Moses and the prophets will not be persuaded even if one rises from the dead.