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?

And {G1161} as touching {G4012} the dead {G3498}, that {G3754} they rise {G1453}: have ye {G314} not {G3756} read {G314} in {G1722} the book {G976} of Moses {G3475}, how {G5613} in {G1909} the bush {G942} God {G2316} spake {G2036} unto him {G846}, saying {G3004}, I {G1473} am the God {G2316} of Abraham {G11}, and {G2532} the God {G2316} of Isaac {G2464}, and {G2532} the God {G2316} of Jacob {G2384}?

And as for the dead being raised, haven't you read in the book of Moshe, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, `I am the God of Avraham, the God of Yitz'chak and the God of Ya`akov'?

But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?

But as touching the dead, that they are raised; have ye not read in the book of Moses, in the place concerning the Bush, how God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

Context of Mark 12:26

In Mark 12, Jesus is in Jerusalem during His final week, constantly confronted by religious leaders. Here, He faces the Sadducees, a Jewish sect known for their rejection of the resurrection of the dead, the existence of angels, and spirits, as noted in Acts 23:8. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees only accepted the Pentateuch (the first five books of Moses) as divinely authoritative. They presented Jesus with a hypothetical scenario about a woman married to seven brothers, aiming to ridicule the concept of resurrection and trap Him. Jesus responds by challenging their ignorance of both the Scriptures and the power of God, using a passage directly from the "book of Moses" to prove the reality of the resurrection.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Reality of Resurrection: Jesus directly affirms the resurrection of the dead by demonstrating that it is implicitly taught even in the Torah, which the Sadducees held as supreme. God's declaration, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob," implies that these patriarchs are not merely figures of the past but are alive in God's presence. God is the God of the living, not of the dead.
  • God's Enduring Covenant and Faithfulness: This verse highlights God's eternal relationship with His people. His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not terminated by their physical death. Their continued existence in God's sight underscores His faithfulness and the everlasting nature of His promises, providing God's everlasting covenant.
  • Jesus' Scriptural Authority and Wisdom: Jesus masterfully uses a passage from Exodus, a book revered by the Sadducees, to refute their deeply held theological error. He shows profound insight into the Scriptures, extracting a truth about resurrection that they, despite their supposed expertise in the Law, had completely missed. This demonstrates His divine wisdom and authority to interpret God's Word.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I [am] the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (KJV's bracketed 'am' indicates it is implied in the Greek but present in the original Hebrew context) is critical. It echoes God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:6, and particularly resonates with God's declaration "I AM WHO I AM" from Exodus 3:14. The emphasis is on God's eternal, present existence, and by extension, the continued existence of those with whom He has a living relationship. He is not merely "was" their God, but "is" their God, implying they are still alive.

Related Scriptures

  • For the full context of Jesus' interaction with the Sadducees, see Mark 12:18-27.
  • Parallel accounts of this encounter can be found in Matthew 22:31-32 and Luke 20:37-38.
  • For further understanding of the Christian hope in resurrection, refer to 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, which speaks of Christ as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  • Jesus' own declaration about resurrection is found in John 11:25-26.

Practical Application

Mark 12:26 offers profound comfort and assurance to believers today. It underscores that death is not the end for those who belong to God. Our loved ones who have died in Christ are not merely memories but are alive in God's presence, awaiting the bodily resurrection. This truth provides comfort for those grieving and solidifies the Christian hope of eternal life. Furthermore, this passage reminds us of the importance of diligent and Spirit-led study of Scripture, allowing God's Word to illuminate truths that might otherwise remain hidden, and to correct our misconceptions about His nature and His plans.

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.

  • Genesis 17:7

    ¶ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

  • Genesis 17:8

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 33:20

    And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel.

  • Exodus 3:16

    ¶ Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and [seen] that which is done to you in Egypt:

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