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 20:28KJV
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Luke 20:28 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“children” Greek G815 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 20:29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
  • Luke 20:30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

“up” Greek G1817 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
  • Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

“seed” Greek G4690 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
  • Romans 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

“Master” Greek G1320 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
  • Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
  • Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?