Abraham’s reply isn’t just about having the Old Testament writings; it’s a pointed reminder that these Scriptures, especially as they point to Christ, are a powerful, authoritative resource. If people refuse to listen to God's clear message through Moses and the prophets, even a miraculous visitor from the dead wouldn't necessarily change their hearts.
But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This exchange happens within the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, after the rich man finds himself in torment and begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. Abraham's reply emphasizes that the brothers already possess God's Word through the Law of Moses and the writings of the Prophets, which contain sufficient instruction and warning to lead them to repentance. If they refuse to listen to these authoritative scriptures, Abraham implies, even a miraculous messenger from the dead would be of no use.
Ever feel like you need a supernatural nudge to believe or obey? Abraham points to something more reliable.
In this parable, the rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers. Abraham’s response is clear: they already have what they need. The writings of Moses and the Prophets (the Old Testament) are sufficient to guide them. God’s Word, when truly heard and heeded, is powerful enough to convict and convert. Relying on signs and wonders instead of Scripture shows a misunderstanding of God's established means of communication and a misplaced desire for the sensational over the substantial. True faith is built on the foundation of God's revealed Word.
Abraham doesn't just say they have books; he implies these writings have a crucial message. What is it?
Abraham's statement isn't just about having access to the Old Testament; it's about understanding its purpose. The entire Law of Moses and the words of the Prophets were, in fact, pointing forward to Jesus Christ. They testified about His coming, His mission, and the salvation He would bring. Even though the rich man's brothers had these scriptures, they weren't living by them or recognizing the prophetic witness to the Messiah. Therefore, even a miraculous messenger wouldn't necessarily lead them to repentance if they were already disregarding God's clear revelation through Moses and the Prophets.
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Having the Bible is one thing, but Abraham emphasizes something more active. What's the difference?
Abraham’s response, “let them hear them,” highlights a critical distinction. The rich man’s brothers weren't truly hearing Moses and the Prophets, even if they possessed the scrolls or heard them read. Hearing, in this context, means attentive listening, internalizing, and obeying. It implies an engagement with God’s Word that leads to transformation. Simply having access to scripture or even intellectually acknowledging its truth isn’t enough. True hearing leads to repentance and a changed life, something the brothers were actively resisting through their lifestyle.
Understand the original words
Mōysēs kai hoi prophētai · Greek Noun phrase
The collective writings of the Old Testament Law given to Israel through Moses. Theologically, it represents the complete, sufficient revelation of God's will necessary for salvation and righteous living.
metanoeō · Greek Verb
A fundamental change of mind, heart, and direction that results in turning away from sin and toward God. It is the necessary response to hearing and believing the revelation of God.
Mōysēn kai tous prophētas · Greek Proper Noun and Noun Phrase
Refers to the collective body of divinely inspired Scripture written by Moses (the Pentateuch) and the prophets, which served as the authoritative record of God's covenant and revelation to Israel. It represents the objective, sufficient word of God necessary for salvation and life.
akouousin · Greek Verb
To listen with the intent to believe, understand, and obey. In a biblical context, it implies a response of faith and submission to the divine message delivered by the prophets.
peisthēsontai · Greek Verb
To be persuaded or brought to a state of belief. It indicates a transformation of mind and heart through evidence or divine encounter, leading to acceptance of the truth.
nekrōn · Greek Adjective/Noun
The state of being restored to life after physical death. In the New Testament, this is a central theological concept pointing to the resurrection of Christ and the future bodily resurrection of the dead as the ultimate divine validation of the gospel.
Abraham's statement underscores that the rich man's family already possessed the divinely inspired Scriptures. Their failure wasn't a lack of revelation, but a refusal to heed the authoritative words of Moses and the Prophets, which testified of Jesus and warned of judgment.
c. 1500 BC - 400 BC
Compilation of Old Testament Scripture
During this long period, the core texts of the Law (Torah) and the Prophets were written and compiled. These writings formed the authoritative Scripture for Jewish people.
c. 1st century BC - 1st century AD
Dominance of Oral Tradition and Pharisaic Influence
The Pharisees gained significant influence, emphasizing their interpretations of the Law and Prophets alongside the written texts. This era saw a strong focus on ritual purity and outward observance.
c. AD 25-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry and Teachings
Jesus taught extensively, often challenging the religious establishment and emphasizing the internal, heart-level meaning of Scripture over mere outward compliance. He frequently referenced Moses and the Prophets, pointing to Himself as their fulfillment.
c. AD 30-33
The Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus' resurrection from the dead was the ultimate sign, yet many religious leaders rejected it and continued to disregard the Scriptures' testimony about Him.
Jesus directly tells the Pharisees to search the Scriptures (Moses and the Prophets), stating they testify about Him, mirroring Abraham's point that these writings are sufficient.
Deuteronomy 18:15Moses himself promised a prophet like him, whom the people should listen to. This connects to Abraham's insistence that listening to the established word is crucial, as it contains God's ongoing message.
Isaiah 8:20This prophetic word urges people to turn to the Law and the testimony if they don't align with current teachings, reinforcing the foundational authority of Moses and the Prophets that Abraham emphasizes.
Hebrews 12:25The author warns against refusing to listen to earthly messengers, drawing a parallel to refusing heavenly ones. This echoes Abraham's stern reminder that ignoring God's established word has severe consequences.
gillLuke 16:29: "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them."
Abraham said unto him..... In reply to this his request: they have Moses and the prophets; that is, their writings; which shows this man, and his five brethren, to be Jews; for to them were the oracles of God committed; and these had the writings of Moses and the prophets read to them every sabbath day; and is true, whether the contemporaries and immediate successors of the Pharisees are meant, or the te…
clarkeLuke 16:29: "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them."
They have Moses and the prophets - This plainly supposes they were all Jewish believers: they had these writings in their hands, but they did not permit them to influence their lives.
Abraham’s reply isn’t just about having the Old Testament writings; it’s a pointed reminder that these Scriptures, especially as they point to Christ, are a powerful, authoritative resource. If people refuse to listen to God's clear message through Moses and the prophets, even a miraculous visitor from the dead wouldn't necessarily change their hearts.
This exchange happens within the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, after the rich man finds himself in torment and begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. Abraham's reply emphasizes that the brothers already possess God's Word through the Law of Moses and the writings of the Prophets, which contain sufficient instruction and warning to lead them to repentance. If they refuse to listen to these authoritative scriptures, Abraham implies, even a miraculous messenger from the dead would be of no use.
This exchange happens within the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, after the rich man finds himself in torment and begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. Abraham's reply emphasizes that the brothers already possess God's Word through the Law of Moses and the writings of the Prophets, which contain sufficient instruction and warning to lead them to repentance. If they refuse to listen to these authoritative scriptures, Abraham implies, even a miraculous messenger from the dead would be of no use.
"But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither…" — Abraham’s reply isn’t just about having the Old Testament writings; it’s a pointed reminder that these Scriptures, especially as they point to Christ, are a powerful, authoritative resource. If peopl…
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Last reviewed October 2026
