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Luke 20

And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,

And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?

And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?

But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.

And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.

And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.

And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.

But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.

So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?

He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?

But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?

Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.

And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.

And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

Last of all the woman died also.

Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.

And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?

And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?

Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,

Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

What does Luke 20:32 mean?

Explanation

The verse, "Last of all the woman died also," comes from the gospel of Luke in the New Testament and is part of a narrative where the Sadducees, a Jewish sect that did not believe in the resurrection, presents Jesus with a hypothetical scenario.

This scenario involves a woman who marries seven brothers, one after the other, as each brother dies without leaving her with children.

This is a reference to the Levirate marriage practice where a widow would marry her deceased husband's brother to produce offspring in his name.

The verse concludes the hypothetical scenario by stating that the woman herself eventually died, setting the stage for the Sadducees' question about whose wife she would be in the resurrection.

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Historical Context

The account in Luke 20:27-40 occurs during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, a period of intense teaching and conflict with various religious groups.

The Sadducees were known for their priestly and aristocratic status and for accepting only the written Law of Moses, rejecting oral tradition and belief in angels, spirits, and the resurrection of the dead.

Their question to Jesus was likely meant to trap him and to ridicule the concept of the resurrection, which was taught by Jesus and believed by another Jewish sect, the Pharisees.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Jesus uses this hypothetical situation to teach about the nature of the resurrection life. Theological insights include:

Resurrection as Transformation: When answering the Sadducees later in the passage, Jesus indicates that life after the resurrection differs markedly from this earthly life, such that the institution of marriage does not apply in the same way.
Debate on Afterlife Beliefs: This passage highlights the historical Jewish debate about the resurrection, contrasting the beliefs of the Sadducees with those of the Pharisees and early Christians.
Jesus Authority on Spiritual Matters: Jesus' response showcases his wisdom and authority on spiritual matters, including those beyond human experience like the afterlife.

Practical Applications

Practical applications of this verse lead to reflections on the nature of human institutions versus eternal realities.

Christians might consider:

Eternal Perspective: Keeping an eternal perspective in daily life, understanding that earthly relationships and institutions do not define one's ultimate existence.
The Afterlife: Reflecting on beliefs about the afterlife and how these beliefs impact current attitudes and behaviors.
Spiritual Authority: Looking to spiritual authorities for wisdom and insight on matters related to life, death, and afterlife questions.

Cross-References

Matthew 22:23-32: Another account of the same story where Jesus is questioned by the Sadducees regarding the resurrection.
Mark 12:18-27: Mark's version of the encounter with the Sadducees and Jesus' teaching on the resurrection.
Deuteronomy 25:5-6: The Law of Moses regarding Levirate marriage, which is the backdrop of the Sadducees' scenario.

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text is "ἔσχατον δὲ πάντων ἀπέθανεν καὶ ἡ γυνή" (eschaton de panton apethanen kai he gyne).

The term "ἔσχατον" (eschaton) means "last" and has eschatological implications, often relating to end-times or final things. "ἀπέθανεν" (apethanen) is the third person singular aorist active indicative of "ἀποθνήσκω" (apothnesko), meaning "she died." The use of "καὶ" (kai) means "also," implying that just as all the brothers died, so too did the woman.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar to the Jewish practice of Levirate marriage, various ancient cultures had customs to ensure the continuation of a family line.

In Ancient Rome, for example, the practice of "adrogatio" allowed childless individuals to be legally adopted to carry on the family name and estate.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings of life and death focus on the biological processes involved, separate from religious or spiritual notions of an afterlife or resurrection.

Contemporary discussions involve the psychological and societal implications of beliefs about what happens after death, sometimes engaging with near-death experiences or the study of consciousness.

Commentaries

Commentaries on this verse offer insights into its interpretation:

Critical Commentary: Scholars like those of the Jesus Seminar often see discussions like this as reflective of early Christian communities and their debates rather than historical events involving Jesus.
Traditional Commentary: Conservative commentators generally accept this as a historical event and emphasize Jesus' teaching on the resurrection and the distinction between this life and the life to come.
Literary and Historical Commentary: Some commentaries assess the narrative as a rhetorical device used by Luke to impart theological truths related to Jesus' Messiahship and to refute the Sadducees' disbelief in the resurrection using their own scripture.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 20:32 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?