Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’
Parallel translations
- WEB “But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’
- KJV Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
- BSB But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’
- NASB But Abraham *said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’
- NLT “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Abraham replies that the brothers have Moses and the Prophets and should listen to them.
Overview
The Scriptures, the Old Testament revelation, are sufficient to lead to repentance and faith. People are responsible to heed God's written Word. Abraham's answer rebukes the craving for spectacular signs over the clear testimony of Scripture, which points to Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Acts 15:21For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
- Luke 24:27Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
- Mal 4:2–4But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the stall.
- 2 Tim 3:15–17From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
- Acts 17:11–12Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
- Isa 34:16Search in the book of Yahweh, and read: not one of these will be missing. none will lack her mate. For my mouth has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.
- Luke 16:16The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
- John 5:39–47“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
- 2 Pet 1:19–21We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the morning star arises in your hearts:
- Isa 8:20Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Luke 4:17The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 16:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.