Luke 20:38 (KJV)

What does Luke 20:38 mean?

Luke 20:38 says that God is not the God of people who are dead and gone, but of those who are alive, because to God, all people are alive. This means that in God’s view, life continues beyond physical death, and those who belong to Him are not lost or forgotten.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a group of religious leaders called the Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection or life after death. Jesus is explaining that God’s relationship with people like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob does not end at their death. By saying “all live unto him,” Jesus is showing that God’s promises and care extend beyond earthly life.

The Greek behind Luke 20:38

• θεός (theos): This is the Greek word for “God.” Jesus is making a point about the nature of God’s relationship with people, emphasizing that God’s connection is with the living, not the dead.
• ζάω (zaō): Translated as “live,” this word means to be alive or to have life. Jesus uses it to show that, from God’s perspective, people who have died are still alive to Him.
• νεκρός (nekros): This word means “dead.” Jesus contrasts this with “living” to challenge the Sadducees’ belief that death is the end.

Why Luke 20:38 matters

• Luke 20:38 clarifies that God’s promises are not limited by physical death, which was a key point in Jesus’ debate with the Sadducees about resurrection.
• The verse highlights that God’s relationship with people is ongoing and not broken by death, offering a deeper understanding of life after death in the biblical worldview.
• This statement connects to the wider passage, where Jesus uses the example of the patriarchs to show that God’s covenant is everlasting, reinforcing hope in resurrection.