Mark 12:20 (KJV)

What does Mark 12:20 mean?

Mark 12:20 describes a situation where seven brothers are mentioned, and the first brother marries a woman but dies without having any children. The verse sets up a scenario about marriage and inheritance, focusing on the fact that the first brother leaves no offspring.

In this passage, Jesus is responding to a question from the Sadducees, a group of Jewish leaders 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 verse introduces the first step in their scenario, which is meant to challenge Jesus on the topic of life after death.

The Greek behind Mark 12:20

• ἀδελφοί (adelphoi, G80): This word means "brothers." It emphasizes that the men in the story are siblings, which is important for understanding the family and legal obligations being discussed.
• σπέρμα (sperma, G4690): This word is translated as "seed," meaning offspring or children. The detail that the first brother "left no seed" is crucial, as it triggers the levirate marriage requirement in Jewish law.
• γυνή (gynē, G1135): This word means "wife" or "woman." The use here clarifies that the woman is married to the first brother, setting up the legal and relational context of the story.

Why Mark 12:20 matters

• Mark 12:20 helps clarify the Sadducees’ challenge to Jesus by showing the legal and family context behind their question about resurrection.
• The verse highlights the importance of offspring in Jewish law and culture, especially regarding inheritance and family legacy.
• Understanding this verse sheds light on the broader debate in Mark 12 between Jesus and religious leaders about the nature of life after death and the interpretation of the law.