Luke 20:35 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:35 mean?

Luke 20:35 says that those who are considered worthy to take part in the coming age and the resurrection from the dead will not marry or be given in marriage. Jesus is describing a future state where earthly customs like marriage no longer apply to those who are raised from the dead.

In this scene, Jesus is answering a question from the Sadducees, a group who denied resurrection, about what happens after death. He explains that life after resurrection is different from life now, and that marriage is not part of the resurrected life. This verse helps clarify that the resurrection brings a new kind of existence, distinct from earthly relationships and customs.

The Greek behind Luke 20:35

• "worthy" (καταξιωθέντες, kataxiōthentes): This word means to be considered or counted worthy, suggesting that participation in the resurrection is not automatic but involves being judged as fit for it.
• "obtain" (τυχεῖν, tychein): The Greek here carries the sense of attaining or being granted something, emphasizing that entering "that world" is something received rather than assumed.
• "that world" (ἐκείνου τοῦ αἰῶνος, ekeinou tou aiōnos): This phrase refers to the age to come, a future era distinct from the present one, highlighting the contrast between life now and life after resurrection.
• "resurrection" (ἀναστάσεως, anastaseōs): The term means being raised from the dead, pointing to a real, bodily event rather than just a spiritual idea.

Why Luke 20:35 matters

• Luke 20:35 clarifies that marriage is not part of life after the resurrection, which corrects misunderstandings about relationships in the age to come.
• The verse shows that Jesus sees the resurrection as a real, bodily event, not just a metaphor or spiritual continuation.
• By answering the Sadducees’ question, Jesus affirms belief in the resurrection and teaches that the coming age will be fundamentally different from earthly life.