Luke 16:30

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 16:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, nay, father Abraham, etc.] He contradicts his father Abraham, or at least desires it might not be so; this way he suggests, was not so right, and would not succeed; for he knew his brethren were a rebellious, and stiffnecked people, and would not hear Moses and the prophets, notwithstanding all their outward boast of them, and pretensions of regard to them: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent; but alas! repentance is not of man's will, but a gift of God's grace; nor could these men repent, because in a judicial way their eyes were shut, their ears were stopped, and their hearts were hardened; and though Christ came in person to them, and preached, as never…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Nay--giving the lie to Abraham. but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent--a principle of awful magnitude and importance. The greatest miracle will have no effect on those who are determined not to believe. A real Lazarus soon "rose from the dead," but the sight of him by crowds of people, inclined thereby to Christ, only crowned the unbelief and hastened the murderous plots of the Pharisees against the Lord of glory; nor has His own resurrection, far more overpowering, yet won over that "crooked and perverse nation." Next: Luke Chapter 17”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Nay - No. They will not hear Moses and the prophets. They have heard them so long in vain, that there is no prospect now that they will attend to the message; but if one should go to them directly from the eternal world they would hear him. The novelty of the message would attract their attention, and they would listen to what he would say. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“repent: Luk 13:3, Luk 13:5; Rev 16:9-11 Luke 16:31”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification