Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
LUKE 20:28KJVWhat does Luke 20:28 mean?
Luke 20:28 describes a group addressing Jesus as "Master" and reminding Him that Moses gave a law: if a man dies childless, his brother should marry the widow to produce children for the deceased brother. This refers to an Old Testament practice meant to preserve a family line.
In this scene, some religious leaders (the Sadducees) are speaking to Jesus, trying to challenge Him with a question about resurrection. They quote the law from Moses to set up a scenario about marriage after death. The verse sets the stage for their question, showing they are referencing a specific command from the Law of Moses about family duty and inheritance.
The Greek behind Luke 20:28
- "Master" (διδάσκαλε, didaskale): This word means "teacher" and shows the respectful way the Sadducees address Jesus, even as they prepare to challenge Him.
- "Raise up seed" (ἐξαναστήσῃ σπέρμα, exanastēsē sperma): The Greek phrase means to produce offspring or descendants, highlighting the focus on continuing the family line, not just marrying the widow for her own sake.
- "Die without children" (ἀτεκνὸς, ateknōs): This word specifically means "childless," which is crucial to the law being cited—this duty only applied if the deceased brother left no children.
Why Luke 20:28 matters
- This verse clarifies the background of the Sadducees' question, showing they are not just asking about marriage but about the law and the afterlife.
- Understanding the original law helps explain why the Sadducees chose this example to challenge Jesus, since they did not believe in resurrection.
- The verse connects to a larger discussion about resurrection and the nature of life after death, which is the main issue in this part of Luke's Gospel.