Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 16:29

"But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." — Luke 16:29 (ASV)

They have Moses and the prophets.—The words are in entire harmony with all the teaching of our Lord. The right use of lower knowledge is the condition of attaining to the higher, and without it signs and wonders are of little use: He that hath, to him shall be given (Mark 4:25); He that willeth to do the will of God, so far as he knows it, shall know of the doctrine which Christ came to proclaim, whether it be of God (John 7:17).

It was because the scribes and their followers were unfaithful in a little that more was denied them. “Moses and the Prophets” were enough to teach them that a life of self-indulgent luxury was evil in itself, and therefore must bring with it, in the end, shame and condemnation. (Compare to Notes on John 5:45-46.)