Luke 20:37

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.

Now {G1161} that {G3754} the dead {G3498} are raised {G1453}, even {G2532} Moses {G3475} shewed {G3377} at {G1909} the bush {G942}, when {G5613} he calleth {G3004} the Lord {G2962} the God {G2316} of Abraham {G11}, and {G2532} the God {G2316} of Isaac {G2464}, and {G2532} the God {G2316} of Jacob {G2384}.

“But even Moshe showed that the dead are raised; for in the passage about the bush, he calls Adonai ‘the God of Avraham, the God of Yitz’chak and the God of Ya‘akov.’

Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the Bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

Commentary

Luke 20:37 is a pivotal verse in Jesus' discourse with the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection of the dead. Here, Jesus masterfully uses the very Scriptures they accepted as authoritative to affirm the doctrine of resurrection and the continued existence of the patriarchs.

Context

This verse comes amidst a challenge posed by the Sadducees to Jesus. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, angels, or spirits (see Acts 23:8). They presented a complex hypothetical scenario about a woman married to seven brothers, all of whom died without progeny, to ridicule the idea of resurrection and marriage in the afterlife (read the full account in Luke 20:27-36). Jesus first corrects their misunderstanding of the resurrected state, clarifying that people will neither marry nor be given in marriage in the resurrection, but will be like the angels.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Proof of Resurrection: Jesus doesn't just state the resurrection; he proves it from the Law of Moses, which the Sadducees held sacred. His argument is that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
  • God of the Living: The core of Jesus' argument is that when God revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush, He said, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6). Since Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died centuries before Moses' encounter, God's present-tense identification ("I am") implies their continued existence. They are alive to God.
  • Continuity of Relationship: This verse highlights God's enduring covenant relationship with His people, extending beyond physical death. The patriarchs are still in relationship with God, underscoring the promise of eternal life.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" emphasizes a personal, ongoing relationship. Jesus' use of the present tense "I AM" (from the Hebrew in Exodus 3:6) is crucial. It's not "I *was* the God of..." but "I *am* the God of..." This subtle yet profound grammatical point demonstrates that these patriarchs, though physically deceased for centuries, are still spiritually alive and known by God. This is a powerful argument for the immortality of the soul and the future resurrection of the body.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 20:37 offers immense comfort and assurance. It reaffirms the Christian hope in the resurrection and eternal life. Our relationship with God is not terminated by death; rather, physical death is a transition to a fuller life with Him. This teaching encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our loved ones who have died in faith are not lost but are alive to God. It also strengthens our faith in Jesus' authority and wisdom, as He masterfully defends core biblical truths against opposition.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Exodus 3:2

    And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush [was] not consumed.

  • Exodus 3:6

    Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

  • Mark 12:26

    And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I [am] the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

  • Mark 12:27

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

  • Acts 7:30

    ¶ And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

  • Acts 7:32

    [Saying], I [am] the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

  • Genesis 32:9

    ¶ And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
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