Theological debates have baffled people as long as there have been humans on the earth.
Adam and Eve wrestled with the Sovereignty and goodness of God and the Volition of Humans as they listened to the serpent and ate of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3)
Cain faced the balance between grace and justice (Gen. 4)
The Israelites in the exile battled between the uniqueness of the One true God and worshipping the gods of their neighbors.
In the early church, they faced a dilemma between which Jewish laws Gentiles should follow and which ones were allowed to be overlooked.
Early Christians battled over the nature of Jesus - whether He was divine or simply blessed - the Nicene and Apostles creeds came out of that debate.
In the passage we’re considering today, we come face to face with the eternal nature of the soul and the identity of the Christ.
If you have your Bibles, open them to Luke 20:27-45. You’ll find that on p. 838 of the new pew bibles.
While you’re turning there, I want to give us a little bit of background. Up to this point in the book of Luke, we’ve encountered two different groups of Jewish leaders - the Pharisees and the Scribes. They are generally two of the three groups that make up the Jewish ruling council called the Sanhedrin. Some theologians believe that the earliest iterations of this ruling council came in the days of Moses when there were Elders appointed from each of the tribes to help him lead the people of Israel through the Exodus. (Num. 11:16-24). Through much of Israel’s history, there was another faction of religious leaders called The Sadducees.
The Sadducees
Part of the Sanhedrin
Recognized the Pentateuch - the first five books as being authoritative, therefore denying the teaching of the other books.
they seem to deny the oral traditions, predestination, immortality of the soul, bodily resurrection, and angels (Strauss)
They were priests, like the Pharisees, but formed an aristocratic faction. (Cox) In other words, their positions on the council were passed more along family lines than on calling or merit.
While they were the primary part of the council in the early days, they were essentially ousted from any significant power after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.
Even though they made up a part of the Sanhedrin, they are mentioned here in the book of Luke for the first time.
You may be thinking, what’s the big deal? Why should we know about these different groups? Why should we care about groups that no longer matter to us?
First of all, I think we should understand some of their distinctives because come in to play in Jesus’ life and in the lives of the early founders of the church. If you’d like to see a rather comical exchange, check out Acts 23. When Paul recognizes that some of his audience are Sadducees and some are Pharisees, he plays off of their differences in order to diffuse the situation.
Secondly, they are noted in Scripture. We should seek to understand what makes various people and groups distinct in order to understand Scripture more fully and to understand how we might deal with similar people in our day.
Some people have said the Sadducees are “sad you see” because they don’t believe in the resurrection. They believe that all of life is encountered in the here and now. When someone goes to the grave - that’s it! There is no eternity. There is no heaven. There is no hell. There’s nothing. I think that part of the reason they are considered a bit “aristocratic” is that their M.O. is to make the most of this life - for their good and for God’s, and then die. They might resonate with the bumper sticker from the last century - “the one who dies with the most toys wins.” They might add something about doing good for God and for humanity, but for them, all of life is measured in length of days and breath of life.
So, with this in mind, this group of ruling leaders approach Jesus with a theoretical situation about the resurrection (because of course, they don’t believe in it).
Their question brings us to the first point in our outline….
Challenge of Faith (27-33)
There are times when we come to various doctrines of the faith that collide with our own preconceived ideas.
gender - what is a woman? what is a man?
Exclusivity of Christ - is he the only way?
the Sovereignty of God - if God is sovereign, then do I have any choice? It seems like I do, but how can God account for that?
Is God all knowing?
Those questions may just scratch the surface for many of us.
For the Sadducees, their question revolved around the resurrection.
Luke 20:27–33 ESV
There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children. And the second and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died. Afterward the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”
They are dealing with something in the Scriptures that they trust in. God, through Moses, made provisions in their day for widows who had no children. While in some ways, this is a silly scenario, it’s not unreasonable. In fact, if you’d like to read about an ancestor of Jesus who experienced this very scenario (though to a lesser degree), check out Genesis 38.
But their point is not the care for this widow in this life, but in the next - in the afterlife - a place in which they have no belief.
It seems like their point is that they present this scenario in order to try to poke holes in the foolishness of the Pharisees belief in the resurrection and the eternal state of the soul.
But on that, I wonder, how many of us come to faith in Christ or come to religious convictions about anything based more on our own preconceived ideas or doubts rather than having those convictions be rooted in scripture?
Will we let Scripture guide and inform our beliefs or try to impose our beliefs on Scripture?
I realize, sometimes Scripture is a bit unclear on some things - left for a variety of applications. At other times, Scripture is VERY clear - will we believe and obey or will we disbelieve and disobey?
Thankfully, Jesus gives us a beautiful example of how we should address questions of beliefs by providing…
Clarification of Doctrine (34-38)
Jesus gets to the core of what they are saying. He calls them out for their misguided beliefs.
Luke 20:34–38 ESV
And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the passage about the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”
In this, Jesus specifically addresses…
The doctrine of the resurrection
For the Sadducees, the premise of their question is based on the assumption that if there is a next life the it is just like this one. Frankly, many of us may have those same assumptions.
Think about it. How many funerals have you been to when people talked about those who have died looking down on us? Or, those who have remained, looking forward to a day when we will walk hand in hand with our loved ones in eternity? Or how often have people considered those who have gone to become angels? “They got their wings.”
In some ways, that last sentiment may not be as far off from the truth as we think.
The point that Jesus is making seems to be two-fold.
There is an afterlife
It’s different than this life
There is an afterlife
Jesus talks about a distinction between “this age” and “that age.” There is something here that differs from something there. He also is very clear, there is something that differentiates those who are considered “worthy” from those who are not.
Hebrews addresses a bit of this distinction:
Hebrews 9:27 ESV
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
There is something that happens in THIS life that makes an impact in the next!
But the second point Jesus seems to make about the next life…
It’s different than this life
Jesus says that those who are considered worthy to attain to that life neither marry nor are given in marriage. Why is that? Several commentators have suggested that in the resurrection, we will not need marriage because we will not die any more. There is no death. There is no sorrow. There is only life with Jesus and what a beautiful eternal life that will be.
Now, I don’t think this means that we will be floating on clouds, playing harps, and singing for eternity (scripture doesn’t support that notion). I think this means, as we see elsewhere in Scripture, that we will get to reign with Jesus. We will be so enamored with our perfect fellowship with the Triune God that we won’t won’t be concerned with the things that concern us now.
Now, frankly, there may be other doctrines that baffle us. Some that we should cling closely to, and others that we should hold with an open hand. Whatever they are, Jesus demonstrates how doctrines are…
Confirmed in Scripture
He used a point of scripture that was within the realm of what the Sadducees believed - in other words, He met them where they were by quoting from the Pentateuch.
In the passage that Jesus is quoting, Moses encountered God through a burning bush. In that, God introduced himself in this way:
Exodus 3:6 “And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” …
Now, maybe you’re a bit like me, thinking, how does this confirm the resurrection? I’m glad you asked, because frankly it baffled me.
It seems like what Jesus is getting at here is that God the Father is implying to Moses that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are with Him. They have attained to the resurrection and exist beyond the grave.
I don’t know that this is the best verse to use reinforcing the doctrine of the resurrection from the OT, but this is part of the Scriptures that the Sadducees believed, and so Jesus met them where they were.
On that note, Jesus meets us where we are! Yes , he will call us to trust Him more and more, but I don’t think that he expects us to have a full comprehension of everything. We are to come like children, trusting and eager to learn.
On the matter of the resurrection and other verses that Jesus could have used, He could have used any of a number of other OT references to discuss the resurrection:
Daniel 12:2 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” - Daniel records about a resurrection in a vision that he sees.
Job 19:25–26 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,” - Job hoped in a physical resurrection.
Psalm 16:10 “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” - The Psalmist here hoped in something beyond the grave.
Isaiah 26:19 “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.” - Isaiah prophesied about the hope of a resurrection.
While Jesus is correcting the Sadducees false beliefs, He is also revealing something very important for us to consider. There is a resurrection, and there is something in this life the points to our eternal destination. What makes us to be considered “worthy” to attain to that age?
The rest of the NT helps us to see that this worthiness is not based on our merit, but it’s…
Fulfilled through Christ
Each week, as we gather, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ - the One who died for us and was raised to new life. And yet this resurrection is something that still baffles many of us.
Turn in your Bibles to 1 Cor. 15:3-4 (p.914)
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
So here is the premise. Jesus died for our sins and was raised. Consider reading and reflecting on the whole chapter later to day, but for now, let’s jump down to v. 12 - some of the people in Paul’s audience were wrestling with the reality of the resurrection:
1 Corinthians 15:12–23 ESV
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
There are several other places we could turn, but what we see here is that our faith is centered on Christ, who died for our sins and was resurrected on the third day. His life, death, and resurrection give us hope for our new life in Christ and our hope in the resurrection.
The question becomes, what will you do with Christ? Will you believe, be saved, be baptized and walk in the promise of the resurrection? or will you refuse to believe and die in your sins?
But that brings us to one final point. Jesus responded to the Sadducees, silencing his questioners. He then offers his own question - pushing into the identity of the Messiah, the Christ. So let’s briefly consider the final verses in this section as we reflect on the…
Confirmation of the Christ (39-44)
Luke continues…
Luke 20:39–44 ESV
Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” For they no longer dared to ask him any question. But he said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is David’s son? For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ David thus calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
Jesus bases his question on the belief that the religious leaders had that the Messiah or the Christ would be a descendent of David. But Jesus’ question also points to the something more. Is the Messiah less than David or greater?
Jesus is quoting here for Psalm 110:1 - this is a Psalm of David. It’s considered to be a royal Psalm that speaks of God’s work through His servant. There is some debate as to whether this was considered a Messianic Psalm before the time of Jesus - but Jesus uses this nonetheless. His point is that this descendent of David is also the Lord of David. This descendent is greater. How can a son be a Lord?
If you were to look at the OT version of this, you’d see the first Lord in all caps - LORD - signifying the name Yahweh, the covenant name of God. The second Lord is initial caps and is the English rendering of adon - which means lord or master.
Jesus question, which Luke leaves unanswered, is how can the heir of David also be his Lord? As we’ve seen in the earlier chapters of Luke, Jesus is the One who fulfills this. He is the descendent of David by his earthly mother and step-father. But more than that, because he is fully God - he is also greater that David. Jesus the Christ/Messiah is the only one who is both a descendant of David, and His Lord. Jesus is the One who perfectly fullfills the obligations of the law. Jesus is the One who fully atones for our sins - making a way for us to be in a right relationship with God. In this mic-drop moment, Jesus essentially forces the religious leaders to think deeply about the nature and identity of the Messiah.
By extension, He challenges us to do the same.
Closing thoughts
Where do we need to let Scripture form our theology and understanding of doctrine?
Where do we need to ask Jesus to help us where we may have doubts?
What views about eternal life do we need to adjust based on Scripture?
Have you trusted in Jesus as your savior?
Let’s pray.
Benediction:
2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
Read: Luke 20:27-44
1. What do you imagine happens to us after death?
2. Why do you think there is so much confusion and controversy about the afterlife in our world today?
3. How did Luke describe the Sadducees? (20:27)
4. What was the main point of the lengthy story the Sadducees told Jesus? (20:28–33)
5. How did Jesus respond to the Sadducees’ question? (20:34–35)
6. What is the “age” to which Jesus referred? (20:35)
7. Who is “considered worthy”? (20:35)
8. In the age to come, what did Jesus promise to those who take part in the resurrection of the dead? (20:36)
9. How can we guard against misinterpreting Scripture, as the Sadducees did in Jesus’ day?
10. What dilemma did Jesus set before His listeners? (20:41)
11. What was Jesus revealing to His listeners about His own identity? (20:41–44)
12. For what reason does Jesus quote the words of David to His listeners? (20:42–43)
13. How does David refer to the Christ? (20:44)
Sources:
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 9:51-24:53. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Cox, Steven L. “Jewish Sects of the New Testament Era,” Holman Christian Standard Bible: Harmony of the Gospels. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007.
Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Liefeld, Walter L. “Luke.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, Vol. 8. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 12-24 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academic, 2020.
Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
Taylor, J. B. “Cornerstone.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2005. Print.
Thompson, J. A. “Sanhedrin.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
