Luk 16:31 | KingComments | STEP | Then we hear something from the man that he never showed on earth: care for other people. If Lazarus can’t come to him, let him go to his family to warn them. Lazarus must earnestly testify to his brothers, so that they will escape the terrible thing that is his part. This request cannot be granted either. Hell is the place of unanswered prayers. There is a lot of begging in hell, but there will never come anything from hell that means blessing to the earth. The time to beg is over, it is too late. Begging belongs to life on earth, not to hell. Abraham refers to Moses and the prophets. His brothers are not without witnesses. They can read God’s Word, as he could have done in his life on earth. While the Lord cites the words of Abraham from the hereafter, the Pharisees are standing by, who know and use the law and do not listen to it. It is an indication for them to really go and listen to Moses and the prophets, because then they will escape that terrible place. The man thinks he knows better and wants to convince Abraham that they will repent if anyone from the dead goes to them. Abraham repeats that the only thing that can convince someone of his sins is the Word of God. The biggest wonder doesn’t bring someone to repentance. Shortly after the Lord tells this story, a man also called Lazarus stands up from the dead indeed when He calls him. Many brothers of the rich man have come to see the one who is raised ( ). With what result? That they come to faith? No. On the contrary, instead of repenting, at least the ruler, and also the chief priests, deliberate that they should also kill the risen Lazarus as well as Him Who by the power of His resurrection aroused their deadly hatred against Himself ( ). There is no question of them being persuaded and listening to Moses and the prophets. So it is when the Lord has died and risen. Then they bribe the soldiers who stood on watch at the tomb. Those soldiers must spread the lie about His resurrection that He was not risen, but that His disciples stole His body ( ). The only light for an ignorant, the only testimony that brings eternal life to the dead sinner, is the Word of God if it is accepted in faith.

‏ Luke 16:31

Repentance Only Through the Word of God

Then we hear something from the man that he never showed on earth: care for other people. If Lazarus can’t come to him, let him go to his family to warn them. Lazarus must earnestly testify to his brothers, so that they will escape the terrible thing that is his part. This request cannot be granted either. Hell is the place of unanswered prayers. There is a lot of begging in hell, but there will never come anything from hell that means blessing to the earth. The time to beg is over, it is too late. Begging belongs to life on earth, not to hell.

Abraham refers to Moses and the prophets. His brothers are not without witnesses. They can read God’s Word, as he could have done in his life on earth. While the Lord cites the words of Abraham from the hereafter, the Pharisees are standing by, who know and use the law and do not listen to it. It is an indication for them to really go and listen to Moses and the prophets, because then they will escape that terrible place.

The man thinks he knows better and wants to convince Abraham that they will repent if anyone from the dead goes to them. Abraham repeats that the only thing that can convince someone of his sins is the Word of God. The biggest wonder doesn’t bring someone to repentance.

Shortly after the Lord tells this story, a man also called Lazarus stands up from the dead indeed when He calls him. Many brothers of the rich man have come to see the one who is raised (Jn 12:9). With what result? That they come to faith? No. On the contrary, instead of repenting, at least the ruler, and also the chief priests, deliberate that they should also kill the risen Lazarus as well as Him Who by the power of His resurrection aroused their deadly hatred against Himself (Jn 12:10-11). There is no question of them being persuaded and listening to Moses and the prophets.

So it is when the Lord has died and risen. Then they bribe the soldiers who stood on watch at the tomb. Those soldiers must spread the lie about His resurrection that He was not risen, but that His disciples stole His body (Mt 28:11-15). The only light for an ignorant, the only testimony that brings eternal life to the dead sinner, is the Word of God if it is accepted in faith.