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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 20:34 mean?

Explanation

Luke 20:34 records Jesus' response to a question posed by the Sadducees, a group that did not believe in the resurrection.

They presented Jesus with a hypothetical scenario where a woman marries seven brothers in succession, each dying without leaving children, and they ask whose wife she will be in the resurrection.

Jesus' answer points out that earthly institutions such as marriage, which are a part of human social structure, do not operate the same way in the afterlife.

Unlike humans ("the children of this world"), who engage in marriage, the resurrected ones will not be given in marriage.

Here, Jesus draws a clear distinction between the mortal existence known to humans and the eternal, resurrected life promised to believers.

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Historical Context

At the time of Jesus' speaking, marriage was a fundamental component of Jewish social life, serving not only personal but also socio-economic functions, such as the creation of alliances and the production of heirs.

The Sadducees, who were generally of priestly and aristocratic circles, posed the question likely to challenge Jesus and possibly to ridicule the Pharisees' belief in the resurrection.

Their question was based on the Levirate marriage law found in Deuteronomy 25:5-6, which aimed to ensure that a deceased man's name and estate were not lost if he died without a male heir.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse can be interpreted from various perspectives. For example, from a traditional Christian viewpoint, it signifies that life after the resurrection is fundamentally different from earthly life.

Some scholars may emphasise that Jesus' teaching indicates the irrelevance of earthly ties and statuses in Heaven. Alternatively, from a more symbolic perspective, marriage may represent attachment and desire which are transcended in the spiritual state of resurrection.

Practical Applications

A practical application could be the understanding that human institutions are temporary and not to be confused with ultimate spiritual truths.

This could inspire individuals to prioritize spiritual growth and the nurturing of one's relationship with God over the pursuit of temporal relationships or gains.

It may also provide comfort for those who have lost spouses, as it suggests a unique form of existence beyond life on Earth.

Cross-References

Matthew 22:30 - "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."
Mark 12:25 - "For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven."
Revelation 14:4 - "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.

These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb."

Language Study

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, the phrase "children of this world" is "υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου" (huioi tou aiōnos toutou), where "υἱοὶ" (huioi) means "sons" or "children," and "αἰῶνος" (aiōnos) refers to an "age" or "world." The word "αἰῶνος" carries a connotation of a time-related period or the characteristics of an era.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be drawn with other ancient cultures that had beliefs regarding the afterlife and marriage.

For instance, in ancient Egypt, marriage was also an essential aspect of life, but there were different beliefs about whether marriage exists in the afterlife.

Similarly, in many Greek myths, mortal life is starkly contrasted with the eternal nature of the gods, often with different rules applying to each.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific standpoint, marriage is understood as a social and cultural construct; it doesn't have a direct correlation with the natural or physical laws governing life and death.

Therefore, the consideration of marriage in a post-mortem existence is outside the realm of empirical science and lies within the field of metaphysics and spirituality.

commentaries

Commentators and scholars have offered various interpretations of this verse.

For example, some agree that Jesus is refuting the Sadducees' understanding of resurrection, emphasising the discontinuity between this life and the life to come.

Renowned biblical scholars like John Calvin noted the distinction made by Jesus between the earthly and heavenly states.

In contrast, modern commentary often reflects on the nature of the question as a challenge to Jesus' authority and teachings on the resurrection.

Luke 20

Luke 20

What does Luke 20:34 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 20:34 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?