New Testament
Luke 20:31
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The third married her, and so on through all 7 — none of them had children, and all of them died.
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And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
What Luke 20:31 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see a scenario presented by the Sadducees, a group that did not believe in the resurrection. They describe a woman who was married to seven brothers, each of whom died without leaving any children. This story illustrates their challenge to Jesus about the resurrection and the afterlife. They are trying to point out what they see as a contradiction in the belief of resurrection, questioning whose wife she would be in the afterlife. The mention of all seven brothers marrying the same woman emphasizes the absurdity they perceive in the resurrection concept. This verse sets the stage for Jesus to clarify the nature of life after death, showing that earthly relationships do not apply in the same way in the resurrection. It highlights the Sadducees' misunderstanding of God's power and the eternal life He offers.
How to apply Luke 20:31 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our understanding of life after death and the nature of relationships in eternity. It reminds us that earthly concerns may not carry over into the afterlife, prompting us to focus on our spiritual lives and our relationship with God.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Questions in the Temple (Luke 20:20–44)
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.
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Keep studying Luke 20:31
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 20:31 mean?
Luke 20:31 describes a scenario where a woman marries seven brothers, each of whom dies without leaving children. This story is presented by the Sadducees to challenge Jesus' teachings on resurrection, questioning whose wife she would be in the afterlife.
What is the significance of the Sadducees in Luke 20:31?
The Sadducees were a Jewish group that denied the resurrection of the dead. Their question about the woman married to seven brothers illustrates their attempt to undermine the concept of life after death, which Jesus addresses.
What does Luke 20:31 teach about marriage in the afterlife?
Luke 20:31 suggests that earthly marriages do not carry over into the afterlife. Jesus uses this scenario to explain that relationships in heaven are different from those on earth.
How does Luke 20:31 relate to the concept of resurrection?
In Luke 20:31, the Sadducees use the story of the woman and her seven husbands to question the validity of resurrection. Jesus responds by clarifying that life after death transcends earthly relationships.
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