Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

MARK 12:20KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“seed” Greek G4690 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
  • Romans 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

“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.

“dying” 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.