God of the Living: The Certainty of Resurrection
The resurrection is real, and life in the age to come transcends earthly categories.
Luke 20:27–40 (BSB)
27 Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him.
28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.
29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless.
30 Then the second
31 and the third married the widow, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children.
32 And last of all, the woman died.
33 So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven were married to her.”
34 Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.
35 But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.
36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
37 Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’
38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!”
40 And they did not dare to question Him any further.
What is the big idea of Luke 20:27–40?
The resurrection is real, and life in the age to come transcends earthly categories.
How does Luke 20:27–40 point to Christ?
Christ, who taught the resurrection, proved it through His own death and resurrection, securing eternal life for all who trust in Him.
How does Luke 20:27–40 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
Some Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, present a hypothetical scenario based on levirate marriage: a woman successively marries seven brothers, each dying without children. They ask whose wife she will be in the resurrection. Jesus responds that the sons of this age marry, but those considered worthy to attain the resurrection neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore and are like angels, being sons of God and sons of the resurrection. He then cites Moses at the bush, where the Lord declares Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God is not God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him. Some scribes commend His answer, and no one dares to question Him further. The Messiah affirms bodily resurrection, corrects materialistic misconceptions, and roots resurrection hope in covenant faithfulness.
Authorial Intent
To affirm the certainty of the resurrection and demonstrate Christ’s authoritative interpretation of Scripture.
Literary Context
Following the question about Caesar (20:20–26), this theological challenge further exposes opposition to Jesus and demonstrates His mastery of Scripture. It precedes His question about David’s Lord (20:41–44).
Chapter: Luke 20
The Rejected Son, the Questioned Authority, and the Lord Who Silences His Opponents
Jesus stands in the temple as God’s authoritative Son and David’s Lord, exposing corrupt leadership, defending resurrection hope, and warning that rejection of him brings crushing judgment.