Luke 20:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} came {G4334} to him certain {G5100} of the Sadducees {G4523}, which {G3588} deny {G483} that there is {G1511} any {G3361} resurrection {G386}; and they asked {G1905} him {G846},

Complete Jewish Bible

Some Tz’dukim, who say there is no resurrection, came to Yeshua

Berean Standard Bible

Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him.

American Standard Version

And there came to him certain of the Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 20:27 introduces a pivotal encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees, a prominent and influential Jewish sect characterized by their explicit theological denial of the resurrection of the dead. This verse sets the stage for a profound and illuminating discourse where Jesus masterfully addresses their challenge, exposing the limitations of their understanding and affirming the eternal realities of God's covenant and power. It highlights the deeply entrenched theological divisions within first-century Judaism and underscores Jesus' unparalleled authority to speak on matters of life, death, and eternity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a series of challenging encounters Jesus has had in the Temple courts during His final week in Jerusalem. Prior to this, Jesus skillfully navigated questions from the chief priests, scribes, and elders regarding His authority, and then from the Pharisees and Herodians concerning the payment of taxes to Caesar ([Luke 20:1-26](/luke/20-1-26 "Luke 20:1-26 - Jesus' Authority and Taxes to Caesar")). He also delivered the parable of the wicked tenants, a thinly veiled indictment of the Jewish leadership's rejection of God's messengers ([Luke 20:9-19](/luke/20-9-19 "Luke 20:9-19 - Parable of the Wicked Tenants")). Having silenced His previous interrogators, Jesus is now confronted by a new group with a distinct theological agenda, setting the stage for a direct challenge to a core tenet of His teaching: the resurrection. This sequence demonstrates Jesus' wisdom and divine authority in handling diverse forms of opposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sadducees were one of the three major Jewish sects during the Second Temple period, alongside the Pharisees and the Essenes. Unlike the Pharisees, who were primarily a lay movement focused on interpreting and applying the Law to daily life, the Sadducees were largely aristocratic, priestly, and politically influential, often controlling the Temple and its sacrificial system. Their theological distinctives were significant: they accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses) as divinely authoritative, rejecting the oral traditions upheld by the Pharisees and other writings. Crucially, they denied the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and spirits, a belief explicitly noted in [Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Paul Before the Sanhedrin"). Their challenge to Jesus was not primarily about His Messianic claims, but about what they considered a logical absurdity regarding the afterlife, which they sought to expose using a hypothetical scenario.
* **Key Themes:** This encounter contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **theological opposition** to Jesus, revealing the diverse forms and motivations of those who rejected His message and authority. The Sadducees represent a rationalistic, skeptical form of opposition, rooted in their limited scriptural canon and worldview. Secondly, the passage highlights the critical importance of the **doctrine of resurrection**, which was a central point of contention within Judaism and would become the cornerstone of Christian belief. Jesus' subsequent teaching ([Luke 20:34-38](/luke/20-34-38 "Luke 20:34-38 - Jesus' Teaching on the Resurrection")) profoundly affirms this truth. Lastly, the Sadducees' approach implicitly acknowledges Jesus' growing **influence and authority**, compelling even His theological opponents to engage with His teachings. This encounter further demonstrates Jesus' divine wisdom and power to reveal truth, even when challenged by the most learned and powerful figures of His day.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sadducees (Greek, _Saddoukaîos'_):** This term, likely derived from Zadok, a high priest during the time of King David and Solomon, refers to a prominent Jewish sect. As followers of a certain "heretical Israelite" (as per Strong's G4523), they were characterized by their aristocratic, priestly lineage, and their theological distinctives, most notably their rejection of the resurrection, angels, and spirits. Their identity as "Sadducees" immediately signals the nature of the ensuing theological confrontation.
* **deny (Greek, _antilégō'_):** From _antí_ (against) and _légō_ (to speak), this word means "to dispute, refuse." In this context, it signifies a direct and emphatic contradiction or gainsaying of the belief in resurrection. It highlights their active opposition to this doctrine, not merely a passive disbelief, setting the stage for their attempt to logically disprove it through their question to Jesus.
* **resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** Derived from _anístēmi_ (to stand up again), this term literally means "a standing up again." It refers to the belief in a literal resurrection from death, encompassing both the physical rising of the dead and, figuratively, a moral recovery or revival of spiritual truth. For the Sadducees, this concept was anathema, as they believed it lacked explicit support in the Pentateuch, their sole authoritative scripture. For Jesus, and subsequently for Christianity, it is a foundational truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came to him certain of the Sadducees,"**: This opening clause establishes the new group of interlocutors who approach Jesus. The word "Then" (G1161, _dé_) serves as a continuative particle, linking this encounter to the preceding challenges Jesus faced. The arrival of "certain of the Sadducees" signals a shift from the previous interrogators (Pharisees, scribes, Herodians) to a group with a distinct theological agenda, setting the stage for a different kind of confrontation.
* **"which deny that there is any resurrection;"**: This crucial clause immediately identifies the Sadducees' defining theological characteristic that underpins their subsequent question. Their "denial" (G483, _antilégō_) is an active, principled rejection of the doctrine of resurrection (G386, _anástasis_). The inclusion of "any" (G3361, _mḗ_) emphasizes the absolute nature of their denial – they believe there is no resurrection whatsoever. This statement by Luke provides the essential background for understanding the Sadducees' motivation and the nature of their challenge to Jesus.
* **"and they asked him,"**: This final clause indicates their intention to engage Jesus directly with a question designed to expose what they perceived as the logical absurdity of the resurrection. Their act of "asking" (G1905, _eperōtáō_) is not a genuine search for truth, but a strategic interrogation aimed at trapping Jesus and discrediting His teaching on a fundamental theological point.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several **literary devices** in this concise verse to effectively introduce the Sadducees and their challenge. The opening "Then" functions as a **transitional marker**, signaling a shift in the narrative and introducing a new set of antagonists after Jesus has successfully parried previous attacks. The phrase "certain of the Sadducees" uses **synecdoche**, where "certain" represents a specific delegation or group within the larger Sadducean sect, acting as their representatives. The most prominent device is **characterization by attribute**, where Luke immediately defines the Sadducees by their most salient theological characteristic: "which deny that there is any resurrection." This direct statement of their core belief serves as a **proleptic** device, foreshadowing the nature of the question they are about to pose and setting the theological stakes for the ensuing dialogue. This concise introduction efficiently establishes the context and the nature of the conflict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:27 serves as a vital theological pivot, introducing the critical doctrine of the resurrection, which is central to both Jewish eschatology and Christian faith. The Sadducees' denial highlights a fundamental divide within Judaism concerning the nature of the afterlife and the scope of God's power. Their limited acceptance of scripture (only the Pentateuch) prevented them from grasping the fuller revelation of God's plan for humanity, including the promise of bodily resurrection. Jesus' subsequent response (Luke 20:34-38) transcends their earthly reasoning, appealing to God's identity as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thereby affirming that God is the God of the living, not the dead. This encounter foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ over death and the grave, establishing the resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian hope and the guarantee of eternal life for believers.

* [Matthew 22:23](/matthew/22-23 "Matthew 22:23 - The Sadducees Question About the Resurrection")
* [Mark 12:18](/mark/12-18 "Mark 12:18 - The Sadducees and the Resurrection")
* [Acts 23:6-8](/acts/23-6-8 "Acts 23:6-8 - Paul Divides the Sanhedrin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Sadducees' challenge in Luke 20:27 reminds us that throughout history, fundamental truths of faith have been questioned and denied, often by those who rely solely on human reason or a limited understanding of God's revelation. Their skepticism about the afterlife and the resurrection compels us to reflect deeply on the foundational hope of our Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but the very power that transforms our present lives and guarantees our future. It calls us to firmly grasp this cornerstone truth, allowing it to shape our understanding of life, death, and eternity. Just as Jesus skillfully and graciously addressed their challenge, we are called to be prepared to articulate and defend our faith with wisdom, humility, and a deep reliance on the full counsel of God's Word, understanding that God's power extends far beyond our human limitations or logical constructs. This passage encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our hope is not in this fleeting world but in the living God who raises the dead.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Sadducees' denial of the resurrection challenge our own assumptions about what is possible with God?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Sadducees, limit God's power or revelation based on our own reasoning or preferred interpretations?**
* **How does the hope of the resurrection practically impact your daily life and perspective on suffering or death?**
* **What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and articulation of the resurrection as a core tenet of your faith?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Sadducees deny the resurrection?**

Answer: The Sadducees denied the resurrection primarily because they only accepted the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) as divinely inspired scripture. They believed that the concept of a bodily resurrection was not explicitly taught in these books. Therefore, they rejected it, along with the existence of angels and spirits, which they also felt lacked direct Pentateuchal support. This theological stance put them in direct opposition to the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection and accepted a broader canon of scripture and oral traditions. Their question to Jesus in [Luke 20:27-33](/luke/20-27-33 "Luke 20:27-33 - The Sadducees' Question About the Resurrection") was designed to expose what they considered a logical absurdity of the resurrection doctrine.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:27, though focusing on the Sadducees' denial, profoundly sets the stage for the Christ-centered fulfillment of the resurrection. The Sadducees' limited understanding, rooted in their selective acceptance of scripture, stands in stark contrast to the full revelation of God's plan realized in Jesus. Their question about marriage in the resurrection ([Luke 20:28-33](/luke/20-28-33 "Luke 20:28-33 - The Sadducees' Question")) reveals their earthly mindset, unable to grasp the transformed reality of eternal life. Jesus' subsequent teaching ([Luke 20:34-38](/luke/20-34-38 "Luke 20:34-38 - Jesus' Teaching on the Resurrection")) directly refutes their error by appealing to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, demonstrating that God is the God of the living, not the dead. This prepares the reader for Jesus' own victorious resurrection, which is the ultimate and decisive proof of the resurrection doctrine. As the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")), Jesus' resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of all who believe in Him. He is the "resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), conquering death and ushering in the new creation. Thus, the Sadducees' challenge, intended to discredit the resurrection, instead serves as a powerful backdrop against which the glorious truth of Christ's triumph over death shines even brighter, offering eternal hope to all who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 4:1

¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Acts 4:2

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:12

¶ Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Mark 12:18

¶ Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Mark 12:27

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Matthew 22:23

¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

Matthew 22:33

And when the multitude heard [this], they were astonished at his doctrine.