Luke 20:35

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

But {G1161} they which shall be accounted worthy {G2661} to obtain {G5177} that {G1565} world {G165}, and {G2532} the resurrection {G386} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, neither {G3777} marry {G1060}, nor {G3777} are given in marriage {G1548}:

but those judged worthy of the age to come, and of resurrection from the dead, do not get married,

But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.

but they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Context of Luke 20:35

This verse is part of Jesus's profound response to the Sadducees, a Jewish sect known for denying the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and spirits (Luke 20:27). They challenged Jesus with a hypothetical scenario involving a woman who had been married to seven brothers in accordance with the levirate marriage law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Their intention was to expose what they perceived as the absurdity of resurrection life, assuming earthly marital customs would persist in the afterlife. Jesus's answer corrects their fundamental misunderstanding, revealing the true nature of the "age to come."

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Transformed Nature of Resurrection Life: Jesus clearly states that the resurrected existence is fundamentally different from earthly life. In the "world" or "age" to come, the societal and biological necessities that drive marriage on earth (such as procreation and family lineage) will no longer apply. This suggests a spiritualized and perfected state of being.
  • Divine Wisdom vs. Human Limitations: The Sadducees' error stemmed from their inability to comprehend God's power and the true meaning of Scripture, particularly concerning the afterlife. Jesus reveals that their earthly logic cannot grasp the realities of God's eternal kingdom.
  • "Accounted Worthy": The phrase "they which shall be accounted worthy" (Greek: kataxiōthentes) does not imply salvation by human merit, but rather by divine grace and God's sovereign judgment. It signifies those who are deemed fit or qualified by God's standard to participate in the resurrection and inherit the future age. This aligns with themes of receiving eternal life through faith.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "that world" is translated from the Greek aion ekeinou, which literally means "that age." This refers not merely to a physical place but to a distinct eschatological era—the future age or the age to come—which is marked by God's full redemptive work and the resurrection. This concept emphasizes the radical break from the present age and its limitations.

Related Scriptures

Jesus's teaching here is also recorded in the other Synoptic Gospels, highlighting its importance: Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25. Further insight into the nature of the resurrected body can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:42-49, where Paul describes it as imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual.

Practical Application

Luke 20:35 offers comfort and clarity regarding the future. It reassures believers that life after death is not merely a continuation of earthly existence but a glorious transformation. While earthly relationships are precious, this verse reminds us that our ultimate hope lies in a spiritual communion with God and with one another in a perfected state. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on spiritual realities rather than being overly consumed by the temporary concerns of this world. The promise of the new heaven and new earth includes a state where sorrow, death, and the conditions requiring earthly institutions like marriage will be no more.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5

    ¶ [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.

  • Daniel 12:3

    And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

  • John 5:29

    And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

  • Matthew 12:32

    And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the [world] to come.

  • Luke 21:36

    Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

  • Acts 24:15

    And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back