Luke 20:38

KJV

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1161} he is {G2076} not {G3756} a God {G2316} of the dead {G3498}, but {G235} of the living {G2198}: for {G1063} all {G3956} live {G2198} unto him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living — to him all are alive.”

Berean Standard Bible

He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”

American Standard Version

Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 20:38, Jesus delivers a profound theological truth in response to the Sadducees' challenge regarding the resurrection, asserting that God is fundamentally the God of the living, not of the dead. This declaration underscores the continuous, unbroken existence of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in God's sight, thereby proving the reality of life beyond physical death and affirming God's eternal covenant relationship with His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful statement by Jesus is the culmination of His encounter with the Sadducees, a Jewish sect known for denying the resurrection of the dead, angels, and spirits, as noted in [Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Sadducees' Beliefs"). They presented a hypothetical scenario involving a woman married successively to seven brothers, based on the levirate marriage law found in [Deuteronomy 25:5](/deuteronomy/25-5 "Deuteronomy 25:5 - Levirate Marriage Law"), attempting to expose what they perceived as an absurdity in the concept of resurrection ([Luke 20:27-33](/luke/20-27-33 "Luke 20:27-33 - The Sadducees' Question")). Jesus first corrects their misunderstanding of the nature of resurrected life, clarifying that there will be no marriage in the age to come ([Luke 20:34-36](/luke/20-34-36 "Luke 20:34-36 - Jesus on Marriage in the Resurrection")). He then proceeds to prove the resurrection directly from the books of Moses, which the Sadducees held as uniquely authoritative, by referencing God's declaration to Moses at the burning bush in [Exodus 3:6](/exodus/3-6 "Exodus 3:6 - God's Declaration to Moses"), stating, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" ([Luke 20:37](/luke/20-37 "Luke 20:37 - Jesus' Reference to Moses")). Verse 38 is Jesus' interpretive conclusion to this divine declaration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sadducees, primarily aristocratic priests, held a literalistic interpretation of the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses) and rejected any doctrines not explicitly stated within it, including the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and the immortality of the soul. This contrasted sharply with the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection and an afterlife, drawing from other Old Testament writings and oral traditions. Jesus' argument in [Luke 20](/luke/20 "Luke 20 - Jesus' Teachings and Conflicts") is particularly potent because He uses a passage from the very books the Sadducees considered foundational, turning their own accepted authority against their denial of resurrection. His reference to God identifying Himself as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" implies a continuing, active relationship with these patriarchs, even centuries after their physical deaths, thereby proving their ongoing existence in God's presence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke - Introduction") and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the **Reality of Resurrection**, a core doctrine that Jesus definitively affirms, directly countering the Sadducees' skepticism. It highlights **God's Eternal Nature and Faithfulness**, demonstrating that His power and covenant relationship with His people transcend physical death; He is not a deity whose connection ceases when a person dies, but rather He maintains an active, living relationship with them. Furthermore, the phrase "for all live unto him" emphasizes the **Continuity of Life "Unto Him,"** signifying that from God's divine perspective, those who have died physically are still consciously alive in His presence and sight. Their existence and relationship with Him continue unbroken, offering immense comfort and assurance regarding the eternal state of believers, echoing sentiments found in [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Greek, _theós_):** This word refers to the supreme Divinity, the one true God. In this context, Jesus emphasizes the nature of God as the living, active, and covenant-keeping deity whose relationship with His people is not terminated by physical death. His being "God of" someone implies an ongoing, vital connection.
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós_):** This term signifies those who have physically died, a state of cessation of earthly life. The Sadducees believed this was the ultimate end. Jesus' argument redefines "dead" in God's perspective, asserting that those who are physically dead are not "dead" to God in the sense of ceasing to exist or be in relationship with Him.
* **live (Greek, _záō_):** This primary verb means "to live," literally or figuratively, indicating active existence, vitality, and being quick. When Jesus states "all live unto him," it means that from God's perspective, the patriarchs (and by extension, all who are His) maintain a conscious, active existence in His presence, not merely a memory or a dormant state.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he is not a God of the dead,"**: This clause asserts God's fundamental nature. He is not defined by or limited to those who have ceased to exist. His power and relationship do not end at the grave. To be the "God of the dead" would imply that His relationship with His people is severed by death, or that they are truly non-existent, which contradicts His eternal and covenantal character.
* **"but of the living:"**: This is the antithetical affirmation. God is intimately and eternally connected to those who are alive. This implies that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, though physically deceased for centuries, are still "living" in a profound sense from God's perspective, maintaining a continuous relationship with Him.
* **"for all live unto him."**: This concluding clause provides the reason and universal principle behind the preceding statement. The phrase "unto him" (Greek: _autō_) signifies "in relation to Him," "in His sight," or "for His purpose." It means that from God's eternal perspective, all His faithful people, regardless of their physical state, continue to exist consciously and actively in His presence and under His sovereign care. Their life is not extinguished but transformed and sustained by their relationship with the living God.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 20:38 primarily employs **Antithesis** and **Assertion**. The most prominent device is **Antithesis**, seen in the direct contrast between "God of the dead" and "God of the living." This rhetorical strategy highlights the stark difference between the Sadducees' limited understanding of existence and God's boundless, eternal nature. Jesus uses this contrast to dismantle their premise and establish a foundational truth about God's ongoing relationship with His people. The verse is also a powerful **Assertion** or **Declaration**, where Jesus states a profound theological truth with absolute authority, not as a question or suggestion, but as an undeniable fact. This definitive statement serves as the conclusive answer to the Sadducees' challenge, leaving no room for doubt regarding the reality of life beyond physical death in God's eyes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 20:38 is a cornerstone declaration affirming the continuity of life beyond physical death, rooted in the very character of God. It reveals that God's covenant faithfulness extends eternally, ensuring that His relationship with His people is not severed by the grave. This truth underscores God's sovereignty over life and death, presenting Him not as a distant, passive deity, but as the ever-living God who maintains an active, conscious connection with all who are His. The verse provides profound comfort, assuring believers that their loved ones who have died in faith are not lost to God but continue to live in His presence, awaiting the ultimate bodily resurrection. It transforms our understanding of death from an end to a transition within God's eternal plan.

* [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")
* [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")
* [Philippians 1:21-23](/philippians/1-21-23 "To Live Is Christ, to Die Is Gain")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 20:38 offers immense comfort and a vital perspective for believers navigating the realities of life and death. It fundamentally reshapes our understanding of mortality, assuring us that for those who are in Christ, physical death is not an end to existence or relationship with God, but rather a transition into a deeper, more immediate presence with Him. This truth provides profound solace in times of grief, reminding us that our loved ones who have died in faith are not "dead" to God; rather, they are vibrantly alive "unto Him," held securely in His eternal embrace. This should encourage us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our ultimate destiny is not bound by the limitations of this earthly life but is eternally connected to the living God. It calls us to trust in God's unwavering faithfulness and to find hope in His promise of resurrection and everlasting life, empowering us to face death not with fear, but with the confidence of Christ's victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' statement that God is "not a God of the dead, but of the living" challenge your understanding of death and the afterlife?**
* **In what ways does the truth that "all live unto him" provide comfort and assurance in the face of grief or the fear of death?**
* **How should the eternal perspective offered by this verse influence your daily life, priorities, and discipleship?**

### FAQ
**What was the Sadducees' main error that Jesus corrected in this passage?**

Answer: The Sadducees' primary error, as highlighted by Jesus, was their denial of the resurrection of the dead. They believed that existence ceased at physical death and that there was no afterlife, no angels, and no spirits, as further detailed in [Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Sadducees' Beliefs"). Jesus corrected this by demonstrating, from the very books of Moses they held as authoritative, that God's declaration as the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" implies the patriarchs' continued, conscious existence in God's presence, thus proving the reality of life beyond the grave.

**What does "for all live unto him" truly mean?**

Answer: The phrase "for all live unto him" (Greek: _pantes gar autō zōsin_) signifies that from God's divine and eternal perspective, all His faithful people, including those who have physically died, continue to exist consciously and actively in His presence and under His sovereign care. It means their life is not extinguished by death but is perpetually sustained in relation to God. It's not merely that God remembers them, but that they are truly alive in His sight, maintaining an ongoing, vital relationship with Him. This concept is foundational to the Christian hope of eternal life.

**How does this verse offer comfort to those grieving the loss of loved ones?**

Answer: This verse offers profound comfort by assuring believers that physical death is not the end of a loved one's existence, especially for those who died in faith. It affirms that God is not a God who abandons His people to oblivion; rather, He maintains a living, active relationship with them even after their earthly life concludes. Knowing that our loved ones "live unto Him" means they are secure, conscious, and in the presence of the living God, providing immense solace and hope that transcends the sorrow of separation. It reinforces the truth that death is a transition, not a finality, for those in God's covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 20:38, while directly addressing the Sadducees' skepticism about the resurrection from an Old Testament perspective, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the embodiment of the "God of the living," for He is "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). His own victorious resurrection from the dead decisively proves that God is indeed the God of the living, having conquered the power of death and the grave ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ as the Firstfruits")). Through Christ, the promise that "all live unto him" becomes a tangible reality for all who believe, as He has secured eternal life for His followers, delivering them from the fear of death and granting them a share in His own resurrection life ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Thus, Luke 20:38 points forward to the ultimate demonstration of God's power over death in Christ, who makes it possible for all believers to truly "live unto Him" forever.

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

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:26

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Colossians 3:3

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Romans 6:10

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Romans 6:11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 14:19

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.