And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

MARK 12:22KJV
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Mark 12:22 (KJV)

What does Mark 12:22 mean?

Mark 12:22 describes how all seven brothers, one after another, married the same woman but none of them had children with her, and finally, the woman herself died. This verse completes the scenario presented to Jesus by the Sadducees, setting up their question about resurrection.

In this passage, the Sadducees are speaking to Jesus in the temple, trying to challenge Him with a hypothetical situation based on the law of Moses about marriage and inheritance. They describe a woman who, after marrying seven brothers in succession (each dying without leaving children), also dies, leading to their question about whose wife she would be in the resurrection. This sets the stage for Jesus’ teaching about life after death and the nature of resurrection.

The Greek behind Mark 12:22

  • ἔλαβον (elabon, "had"): This word is often used for "taking" or "receiving," and here it refers to each brother marrying the woman, following the custom of levirate marriage.
  • σπέρμα (sperma, "seed"): In Greek, this word means "offspring" or "descendants." The emphasis on "no seed" highlights that none of the marriages produced children, which is central to the Sadducees’ scenario.
  • ἔλιπον (elipon, "left"): This verb means "to leave behind" or "to abandon." Here, it underscores that none of the brothers left any descendants, making the situation more puzzling for the Sadducees’ question.

Why Mark 12:22 matters

  • Mark 12:22 clarifies the full extent of the hypothetical problem the Sadducees pose, showing that all possible heirs are exhausted, which makes their question about resurrection more pointed.
  • The verse highlights the Sadducees’ focus on earthly relationships and inheritance, which contrasts with Jesus’ later teaching about the resurrection and the transformed nature of life after death.
  • Understanding this verse helps readers see the context for Jesus’ response, which addresses misunderstandings about both the resurrection and the purpose of marriage in God’s plan.

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.

“last” Greek G2078 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
  • 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

“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.

“died” 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.