New Testament
Luke 20:33
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, present a hypothetical scenario to Jesus.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
So in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All 7 brothers were married to her."
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, present a hypothetical scenario to Jesus. They refer to a woman who was married to seven brothers, each one dying without leaving children. Their question is aimed at challenging the concept of resurrection by asking whose wife she would be in the afterlife. This reflects their misunderstanding of both marriage and the nature of life after death. Jesus later clarifies that in the resurrection, earthly relationships like marriage do not apply in the same way, as people will be like angels. This passage highlights the Sadducees' attempt to trap Jesus in a theological debate, but it also serves to illustrate the transformative nature of life after death, where earthly concerns are transcended.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 20:33 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our understanding of life after death and the nature of our relationships. It reminds us that earthly concerns may not carry the same weight in the spiritual realm. We should focus on our relationship with God and how it shapes our lives now and in eternity.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What is the significance of Luke 20:33 in the resurrection debate?
Luke 20:33 is significant because it highlights the Sadducees' challenge to Jesus regarding the resurrection. They present a hypothetical situation about a woman married to seven brothers, aiming to question the validity of life after death. Jesus uses this moment to clarify that earthly relationships, such as marriage, do not exist in the same way in the resurrection, emphasizing a transformed existence where people are like angels.
How does Jesus respond to the Sadducees' question in Luke 20:33?
In response to the Sadducees' question in Luke 20:33, Jesus explains that in the resurrection, people do not marry or are given in marriage, but are like angels. This response reveals that earthly institutions like marriage are not relevant in the afterlife, and it underscores the idea that the resurrection brings a new understanding of existence beyond our current experiences.
What does Luke 20:33 teach us about marriage in heaven?
Luke 20:33 teaches that marriage, as we understand it on earth, does not carry over into heaven. Jesus indicates that in the resurrection, relationships will be transformed, and the focus will shift from earthly bonds to a direct relationship with God. This suggests that our spiritual existence will be fundamentally different from our earthly lives, emphasizing a deeper connection with the divine.
Why did the Sadducees question Jesus about the woman married to seven brothers?
The Sadducees questioned Jesus about the woman married to seven brothers to challenge the concept of resurrection, which they did not believe in. By presenting this scenario, they aimed to create a paradox that would undermine Jesus' teachings. Their question reflects their misunderstanding of both the resurrection and the nature of divine relationships, which Jesus addresses in his response.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
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