There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

LUKE 20:29KJV
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Luke 20:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:29 mean?

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.

The Greek behind Luke 20:29

  • 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.

Why Luke 20:29 matters

  • 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.

Where else these words appear

“children” Greek G815 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 20:28 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 20:30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

“seven” Greek G2033 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
  • Luke 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
  • Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

“first” Greek G4413 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
  • John 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.
  • 1 Timothy 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

“died” Greek G599 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
  • John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
  • Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.