John Calvin Commentary Luke 16:26

"And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us." — Luke 16:26 (ASV)

A vast gulf lies. These words describe the permanence of the future state and denote that the boundaries which separate the reprobate from the elect can never be broken through. And thus we are reminded to return early to the path while there is still time, lest we rush headlong into that abyss, from which it will be impossible to rise. The words must not be strictly interpreted when it is said that no one is permitted to pass who would wish to descend from heaven to hell; for it is certain that none of the righteous entertain any such desire.