New Testament
Mark 12:23
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So here's our question: at the resurrection, when they all rise from the dead, whose wife will she be? After all, all 7 of them were married to her."
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In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
What Mark 12:23 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, posed a question to Jesus about a woman who had been married to seven brothers, each of whom died without leaving children. They wanted to challenge the idea of resurrection by asking whose wife she would be in the afterlife. Their question reflects a misunderstanding of both marriage and the nature of life after death. Jesus responds later by explaining that in the resurrection, people will not marry or be given in marriage, indicating that earthly relationships will not carry over into eternal life. This highlights the transformative nature of resurrection and the different reality of life in the afterlife compared to earthly existence.
How to apply Mark 12:23 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 hold the same significance in eternity. We should focus on our spiritual lives and how we prepare for the afterlife, prioritizing our relationship with God over earthly ties.
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Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Questions in the Temple (Mark 12:13–37)
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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At a Glance — the Book of Mark
- Author
- John Mark
- Written
- Around AD 55-65
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Roman and Gentile Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Mark 12:23 mean?
Mark 12:23 features the Sadducees questioning Jesus about a woman married to seven brothers, challenging the concept of resurrection. They wanted to know whose wife she would be after the resurrection, reflecting their misunderstanding of life after death.
What is the significance of the Sadducees in Mark 12:23?
The Sadducees were a Jewish sect that denied the resurrection, and their question in Mark 12:23 aimed to trap Jesus. Their inquiry highlights their disbelief and misunderstanding of spiritual truths regarding life after death.
What does Jesus teach about marriage in Mark 12:23?
In response to the Sadducees' question, Jesus teaches that in the resurrection, people will not marry or be given in marriage. This indicates that earthly relationships are transformed in the afterlife.
How does Mark 12:23 relate to the concept of resurrection?
Mark 12:23 illustrates the Sadducees' challenge to the resurrection belief by presenting a hypothetical scenario about marriage. Jesus' response emphasizes that resurrection life differs fundamentally from earthly existence.
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