What happens after death? What happens between death and the return of Christ? Where are our loved ones? Let’s understand that God is the God of the living because to him all are alive. Let’s discuss the Sadducees, an ancient marriage custom and resurrection questions in Luke 20:27-38.
Sadducees
Luke 20:27 Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection)
In Israel a religious party was also political. Sadducees were conservatives preserving Temple worship. The more liberal Pharisees believed people could worship God anywhere. The Sadducees also did not believe in a resurrection. The Pharisees and Sadducees were not often in agreement but they were united in opposition to Jesus.
Trick Resurrection Question
Luke 20:28-33 and they questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he is childless, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless; 30 and the second 31 and the third married her; and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children. 32 Finally the woman died also. 33 In the resurrection therefore, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.”
In ancient times marriage was more practical than purely romantic. Ancient societies gave agricultural inheritance through the males. Females would usually be joint-owners with their husband. Where ancient culture was unfair, Israel created exceptions. Levirate marriage was where a man married his deceased brother’s wife to ensure the family inheritance.
This is the background to the question. Whose wife will she be in the resurrection? It was designed to trick Jesus about the resurrection, something the Sadducees did not believe in. Important beliefs in Christianity are repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-3).
An ancient Ugaritic and Hittite levirite custom was also normal in Israel. After seven marriages, whose wife will she be? Was it meant to poke fun, disproving the resurrection? Jesus did not answer the question but pointed out how ridiculous it was because there is no marriage in the resurrection.
Resurrection Questions
Luke 20:34-36 Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
People ask if the giants of old were hybrid children of angels and women. Jesus quite clearly states, at the resurrection people do not marry or give in marriage, but are like angels. People are called sons or children of God too, but this verse adds immortality to that description.
Are we disappointed that there will be no sex or earthly family life? Remember that eternity will be far and above any earthly experience. Will we recognize our current earthly families? Though Jesus did not directly address that question, he did say that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be recognizable.
Dead or Alive?
Luke 20:37-38 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.”
We read in that account that God said “I am [not WAS] the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26). We learn much more about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.
Like some today, the Sadducees did not believe all of scripture. They focused mainly on the five books of Moses, which do not seem to directly mention the resurrection. Jesus showed them that even Moses understood the resurrection when describing the Lord as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Jesus spoke regarding the patriarchs that, God is the God of the living not the dead. The original Greek says “all live to him.” God is the God of the living implies something more than just a future life. It implies that our lives today are already touched by eternity.
Is the departed spirit asleep until Christ’s return (1 Corinthians 15)? What about the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) or Stephen’s prayer “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59)? Is resurrection instantaneous after death where believers receive a spiritual body (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)?
Is the spirit absent from the body and consciously present with the Lord in heaven (Philippians 1:19-26) but awaiting a body at the return of Christ (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)? All die and by God’s grace we can enter his joyful presence forever (Luke 20:27-38).
God is the God of the living because to him all are alive. Therefore, let us stand firm. Let nothing move us. Always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Readings
Haggai 1:15b-2:9
After having been devastated by persecution, or falling away from the truth, or generational change, or urban decline, many churches are in need of encouragement to rebuild. May this encouragement to be zealous in rebuilding the Temple, encourage us to be strong in rebuilding our local churches.
Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21
In a world that praises materialism and corruption, may we stay strong in praising God above all else. May we praise God with as much or more enthusiasm than fans show to men in colorful athletic gear chasing a little air-filled leather bladder across a cow paddock.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
What an encouragement regarding our merciful God! Our prayers are not answered due to legalistic observance, but because of truth, reverential fear, our love for Him. Let us not be deceived by arrogant people who try to lead us astray.
Luke 20:27-38 in Rhyme
Now there came to Him some Sadducees
Who say that there’s no resurrection
They posed questions for His expertise
A man reaches life’s expiration
He dies childless and Moses taught us
His brother should marry the widow
To raise children for his brother up
Now then seven brothers did ditto
The second and the third married her
And in the same way all seven died
Childless, her death did also occur
Whose is she a resurrection bride
She had been married to all seven
Jesus said marriage is for this age
It’s different in the resurrection
No giving or taking in marriage
For they can’t even die anymore
Because like angels, they’re sons of God
Sons of the resurrection what’s more
The dead are raised, Moses spread abroad
Describing the burning bush he said
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s God
He’s God of the living not the dead
For all live to Him, so said our Lord
