For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

MARK 12:25KJV
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Mark 12:25 (KJV)

What does Mark 12:25 mean?

Mark 12:25 says that when people rise from the dead, they will not marry or be given in marriage, but will be like the angels in heaven. This means that earthly relationships and institutions like marriage do not continue in the same way after the resurrection.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the Sadducees, a group that denied resurrection, during a debate about life after death. He explains that resurrected life is different from earthly life, using the example of angels to show that marriage is not part of the heavenly order. The point is to correct a misunderstanding about what resurrection means, not to describe every detail about angels or heaven.

The Greek behind Mark 12:25

  • ἀναστῶσιν (anastōsin, "rise"): This word refers to being raised up or resurrected. It emphasizes that Jesus is talking about life after death, not just a metaphorical change.
  • γαμοῦσιν (gamousin, "marry") and γαμίζονται (gamizontai, "are given in marriage"): These words highlight both sides of marriage—actively marrying and being married off—showing that neither role exists in the resurrection.
  • ὡς (hōs, "as"): This word means "like" or "in the manner of." Jesus is saying people will be similar to angels in this specific way (not marrying), not that they become angels.

Why Mark 12:25 matters

  • Mark 12:25 clears up the idea that resurrection life is simply a continuation of earthly life, showing that it is fundamentally different.
  • The verse addresses a specific challenge from the Sadducees and reveals Jesus’ understanding of resurrection as a transformation, not just a return to old ways.
  • By comparing resurrected people to angels, Jesus emphasizes the spiritual nature of life after death, correcting misunderstandings about relationships and identity in the resurrection.

Where else these words appear

“marry” Greek G1060 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
  • Mark 10:12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

“neither” Greek G3777 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
  • Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
  • Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“rise” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

“when” Greek G3752 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
  • John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.