And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.

MARK 12:21KJV
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Mark 12:21 (KJV)

What does Mark 12:21 mean?

Mark 12:21 describes how a second brother married the same woman after his older brother died, but he also died without having any children, and then the third brother did the same. This continues the story Jesus is telling about a woman who marries several brothers in succession, each dying without leaving children.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking to a group called the Sadducees, who are questioning him about the resurrection. They present a scenario based on the law of Moses, where a man is required to marry his brother’s widow if the brother dies childless. The verse shows the repeated pattern of each brother marrying the widow and dying without children, setting up the Sadducees’ question about what happens in the resurrection.

Why Mark 12:21 matters

  • Mark 12:21 helps clarify the Sadducees’ challenge to Jesus by showing the full extent of their hypothetical situation, which is meant to highlight what they see as a problem with resurrection.
  • The verse emphasizes the cultural practice of levirate marriage, which was important in Jewish law for preserving a family line.
  • Understanding this verse in context helps readers see how Jesus responds to questions meant to trap him, and how he addresses misunderstandings about life after death.

Where else these words appear

“likewise” Greek G5615 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
  • Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
  • 1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

“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.

“second” Greek G1208 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
  • Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
  • Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

“third” Greek G5154 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Luke 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
  • 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.