John Calvin Commentary Luke 16:30

"And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent." — Luke 16:30 (ASV)

No, father Abraham. This is a personification, as we have said, which expresses the feelings of the living rather than the anxiety of the dead.

The doctrine of the Law is little esteemed by the world, the Prophets are neglected, and no one submits to hear God speaking in His own way. Some would desire that angels descend from heaven; others, that the dead come out of their graves; others, that new miracles be performed every day to sanction what they hear; and still others, that voices be heard from the sky.³¹²

But if God were to comply with all their foolish wishes, it would not benefit them. For God has included in His word all that is necessary to be known, and the authority of this word has been attested and proven by authentic seals.

Besides, faith does not depend on miracles or any extraordinary sign, but is the special gift of the Spirit and is produced through the word. Lastly, it is God’s prerogative to draw us to Himself, and He is pleased to work effectively through His own word.

Therefore, there is not the slightest reason to expect that those means which withdraw us from obedience to the word will be of any use to us.

I freely acknowledge that there is nothing to which the flesh is more strongly inclined than to listen to vain revelations. We see how eagerly those people, to whom the whole of Scripture is an object of dislike, throw themselves into the snares of Satan.

This has given rise to necromancy and other delusions, which the world not only receives with eagerness but also furiously pursues.

But all that Christ affirms here is that even the dead could not reform,³¹³ or bring to repentance, those who are deaf and resistant to the instructions of the law.

³¹² “Les autres, que Dieu parlast a eux du ciel en personne;”— “others, that God would speak to them from heaven in person.”;”— “others, that God would speak to them from heaven in person.”

³¹³ “Ne s’amenderont point, mesmes quand les morts viendroyent parler a eux, et les advertir;” — “will not reform, even though the dead should come to talk to them and warn them.”;” — “will not reform, even though the dead should come to talk to them and warn them.”