Money and Eternity
Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:31 · Berean Standard Bible
Abraham's final answer is stunning: 'If they won't listen to God's Word, they won't be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' And that's exactly what happened with Jesus.
This is one of the most prophetic lines in the Gospels. Jesus did rise from the dead — and many still didn't believe. The problem was never the evidence.
Abraham speaks the final word of the parable, and it echoes all the way to Easter morning.
The story ends with a truth that hits differently after the resurrection: even the greatest miracle can't open a heart that refuses to listen.
Abraham's final word is devastating: 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead' (ean tis ek nekrōn anastē). This carries obvious Christological irony given Jesus's own resurrection.
Luke's audience would immediately connect 'someone rises from the dead' with Jesus's resurrection. The parable's conclusion argues that even the resurrection will not convince those who reject Scripture — a prophecy fulfilled by the Pharisees' continued unbelief.
Abraham delivers the parable's climactic theological statement, which doubles as Luke's commentary on the insufficiency of miracles to produce faith apart from receptivity to God's Word.
Abraham's final answer is prophetic: even someone rising from the dead won't convince those who refuse to listen to God's Word. And indeed, someone did rise — and many still didn't believe.
29But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’
30‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Read all of Luke 16 — A shrewd manager, a rich man in torment, and Lazarus at his gate. Jesus draws a straight line between how you handle money and where you end up.
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