But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

LUKE 20:35KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“marriage” Greek G1548 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

“worthy” Greek G2661 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
  • Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

“obtain” Greek G5177 · used in 13 verses

  • Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
  • Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

“marry” Greek G1060 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
  • Mark 10:12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.