Luke 20:29

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

There were {G2258} therefore {G3767} seven {G2033} brethren {G80}: and {G2532} the first {G4413} took {G2983} a wife {G1135}, and died {G599} without children {G815}.

Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died childless,

Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife, but died childless.

There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died childless;

Commentary

Luke 20:29 is part of a significant exchange between Jesus and the Sadducees, a Jewish sect known for denying the resurrection of the dead. This verse introduces a hypothetical scenario designed by the Sadducees to challenge Jesus' belief in an afterlife and to ridicule the concept of resurrection.

Context

The Sadducees, unlike the Pharisees, did not believe in a bodily resurrection, angels, or spirits (Acts 23:8). Their challenge to Jesus, beginning in Luke 20:27, centered on a convoluted hypothetical case based on the Old Testament law of Levirate marriage. This law, found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, stipulated that if a man died childless, his brother was obligated to marry the widow to raise up offspring for the deceased brother, ensuring the family line and inheritance continued.

Verse 29 sets the stage for the Sadducees' elaborate question. It begins the sequence of seven brothers, each taking the same wife and dying without producing children, leading to the climactic question about whose wife she would be in the resurrection (Luke 20:33). This scenario was intended to expose what they perceived as an absurdity in the resurrection doctrine.

Key Themes

  • The Sadducees' Misconception of Resurrection: This verse highlights their fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of the resurrection. They projected earthly marital and familial structures onto eternal life, failing to grasp the transformed reality of the resurrection body and state.
  • Old Testament Law and Its Application: The verse references the Levirate marriage law, demonstrating how the Sadducees used specific biblical statutes to construct their challenge. It underscores the importance of understanding the purpose and scope of the Law, especially in light of God's greater redemptive plan.
  • The Wisdom of Jesus: Although just an introductory verse to the Sadducees' trap, it implicitly sets the stage for Jesus to display his profound wisdom and authority in interpreting Scripture and revealing divine truth, which he does in his subsequent answer (Luke 20:34-38).

Significance and Application

Luke 20:29, though brief, serves as a crucial setup for Jesus' teaching on the resurrection. It reminds us that:

  • Our earthly experiences and institutions are temporary: While marriage is a sacred institution on earth, Jesus' later teaching clarifies that its purpose changes in the resurrection, pointing to a reality where earthly bonds are transformed into a deeper spiritual communion with God and one another.
  • We must not limit God's power or understanding by human logic: The Sadducees' error was in assuming that God's future plans would conform to their present human understanding and limitations. This verse implicitly warns against reducing divine truths to mere human reasoning.
  • The importance of understanding Scripture accurately: The Sadducees misinterpreted the spirit of the Law and applied it rigidly to a context it was not intended for. This underscores the need for careful and prayerful interpretation of God's Word, allowing Scripture to illuminate God's character and purposes rather than imposing our own preconceived notions.

This passage encourages believers to look beyond temporary earthly concerns towards the glorious realities of God's eternal kingdom, where God's power and wisdom transcend our current understanding.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 22:30

    Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man [that] shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

  • Leviticus 20:20

    And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.