Question 1

What does Luke 20:29 mean?

Accepted Answer

Luke 20:29 describes a situation where seven brothers are introduced, and the first brother marries a woman but dies without having any children. This sets up a scenario about family duty and inheritance in Jewish custom. In this verse, Jesus is responding to a question from the Sadducees, a group who did not believe in resurrection. They present a hypothetical case based on the law of levirate marriage, where a man is expected to marry his brother’s widow if the brother dies childless. This story is part of their attempt to challenge Jesus on the topic of resurrection.

Question 2

The Greek behind Luke 20:29

Accepted Answer

ἀδελφοί (adelphoi, G80): This word means "brothers." The use of "seven brethren" highlights the completeness of the scenario, making the question as thorough as possible. γυνή (gynē, G1135): This word means "wife" or "woman." The focus on the wife in this context is essential, as the law of levirate marriage centers on her status after her husband's death. τέκνα (tekna, G815): This word means "children." The fact that the first brother dies "without children" is crucial, as it triggers the levirate marriage requirement in Jewish law.

Question 3

Why Luke 20:29 matters

Accepted Answer

Luke 20:29 helps clarify the Sadducees’ argument, showing that their question is not about real people but about testing Jesus on the doctrine of resurrection. The verse emphasizes the cultural and legal background of levirate marriage, which is important for understanding the rest of the conversation. This setup is key for the following verses, where Jesus addresses deeper questions about life after death and the nature of resurrection.

Luke 20:29 (KJV)