Luke 16:31 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

And he told him, 'Look, if they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they're not going to change their minds even if someone comes back from the dead.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

If someone's already ignoring the truth they have, even a miracle won't change their heart.

📚 Historical Context

This parable in Luke 16 is part of Jesus' teachings during His ministry in first-century Judea, where He often used stories to challenge the religious attitudes of the Jewish people toward wealth, poverty, and Scripture. In the narrative, a rich man in the afterlife begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, but Abraham responds that they already have the writings of Moses and the prophets as their guide. This reflects the cultural emphasis in Jewish society on the Torah and prophetic books as sufficient divine revelation for living right before God.

Explore Similar Verses

Jeremiah 26:5

To listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent to you. I sent them again and again, getting up early to send them, but you have not listened.

Ezekiel 13:2

Listen, you need to call out these so-called prophets in Israel who are just making stuff up as they go. Tell these people who are speaking from their own imagination: 'Actually listen to what God is saying.'

Jeremiah 29:19

Because they have not listened to my words, says the LORD, which I sent to them through my servants the prophets. I got up early and kept sending them to you, but you refused to listen, says the LORD.

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📚 Historical Context

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