“They no longer
Dared
To ask him
Another question.”
οὐκέτι γὰρ ἐτόλμων ἐπερωτᾶν αὐτὸν οὐδέν.
Luke uniquely said here that the Sadducees no longer dared to ask him another question (οὐκέτι γὰρ ἐτόλμων ἐπερωτᾶν αὐτὸν οὐδέν). Case closed. Time to move on to a new subject. This complete victory for Jesus in this discussion about the resurrection can only be found here in Luke. Do you stop asking questions when you are satisfied?
“Then some
Of the Scribes
Answered.
‘Teacher!
You have spoken well.’”
ἀποκριθέντες δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπαν Διδάσκαλε, καλῶς εἶπας.
Luke said that some of the Scribes (ποκριθέντες δέ τινες τῶν γραμματέων), but not Sadducees, answered that Jesus, their teacher (εἶπαν Διδάσκαλε) had spoken well (καλῶς εἶπας). Matthew, chapter 22:33, noted that when the crowds heard this (καὶ ἀκούσαντες οἱ ὄχλοι), they were astonished or amazed (ἐξεπλήσσοντο) at his teaching (ἐπὶ τῇ διδαχῇ αὐτοῦ), while Mark did not have any further remarks. Had Jesus given a good answer?
“Now God is
Not a God
Of the dead,
But of the living.
To him,
All of them
Are alive.”
Θεὸς δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν νεκρῶν ἀλλὰ ζώντων· πάντες γὰρ αὐτῷ ζῶσιν
Luke concluded with Jesus saying that God was not a God of the dead (Θεὸς δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν νεκρῶν), but of the living (ἀλλὰ ζώντων). All of them were alive to him (πάντες γὰρ αὐτῷ ζῶσιν). Jesus continued his explanation that can also be found in Matthew, chapter 22:32, and Mark, chapter 12:27. Mark said that Jesus ended by saying that Yahweh, the Father, was not the God of the dead (οὐκ ἔστιν Θεὸς νεκρῶν) but the God of the living (ἀλλὰ ζώντων). He insisted that the Sadducees were very wrong, mistaken, or incorrect (πολὺ πλανᾶσθε). Matthew indicated that Jesus ended by saying that Yahweh, the Father, was the God of the living (ἀλλὰ ζώντων), not the dead (οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ Θεὸς νεκρῶν). Do you believe in a living God?
“The dead are raised.
Moses showed this
In the story
About the bush.
There
He speaks
Of the Lord as
The God of Abraham,
The God of Isaac,
And the God of Jacob.”
ὅτι δὲ ἐγείρονται οἱ νεκροὶ, καὶ Μωϋσῆς ἐμήνυσεν ἐπὶ τῆς Βάτου, ὡς λέγει Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν Ἀβραὰμ καὶ Θεὸν Ἰσαὰκ καὶ Θεὸν Ἰακώβ
Luke indicated that Jesus justified the resurrection, that the dead are raised up (ὅτι δὲ ἐγείρονται οἱ νεκροὶ). Jesus used the example of Moses at the thorn bush (καὶ Μωϋσῆς ἐμήνυσεν ἐπὶ τῆς Βάτου), when he called Yahweh or the Lord (ὡς λέγει Κύριον) the God of Abraham (τὸν Θεὸν Ἀβραὰμ), the God of Isaac (καὶ Θεὸν Ἰσαὰκ), and the God of Jacob (καὶ Θεὸν Ἰακώβ). Jesus continued with this same explanation that can also be found in Matthew, chapter 22:31-32, and Mark, chapter 12:26. They all refer to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus, chapter 3:6, a mysterious theophany, that is implied without being explicitly mentioned here. Mark indicated that Jesus said that the dead will rise up (περὶ δὲ τῶν νεκρῶν ὅτι ἐγείρονται). Jesus then reminded the Sadducees that they had not read the correct book of Moses (οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ Μωϋσέως). Jesus then referenced this saying of Yahweh to Moses at the bush (ἐπὶ τοῦ Βάτου). Yahweh God spoke to Moses saying (πῶς εἶπεν αὐτῷ λέγων) that he was the God of Abraham (Ἐγώ ὁ Θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ), the God of Isaac (καὶ Θεὸς Ἰσαὰκ), and the God of Jacob (καὶ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ). Matthew indicated that Jesus reminded the Sadducees that they had not read the correct sayings of God (οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑμῖν ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ λέγοντος), concerning the resurrection of the dead (περὶ δὲ τῆς ἀναστάσεως τῶν νεκρῶν). He did not say “the correct book” as in Mark. He then referenced the saying of Yahweh to Moses at the burning bush, that he was the God of Abraham (Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ), the God of Isaac (καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσαὰκ), and the God of Jacob (καὶ ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ). Do you believe in your resurrection in the afterlife?
“Jesus said to them.
‘Those who belong
To this age
Marry
And are given
In marriage.’”
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς Οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου γαμοῦσιν καὶ γαμίσκονται,
Luke uniquely indicated that Jesus said to the Sadducees (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς) that those who belong to this age, the sons of this age (Οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ αἰῶνος τούτου), marry (γαμοῦσιν) and are given in marriage (καὶ γαμίσκονται). Both Matthew, chapter 22:29, and Mark, chapter 12:24, are almost word for word, with Jesus flat out telling the Sadducees that they were wrong, without mentioning the present age. However, this reprimand by Jesus is not here in Luke. Matthew indicated that Jesus answered the Sadducees (ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς) by telling them that they were wrong, deceived, or lead astray (εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Πλανᾶσθε). They did not know the scriptures or the writings (μὴ εἰδότες τὰς γραφὰς). They also did not know the power or purpose of God (μηδὲ τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ). Mark said that Jesus responded to the Sadducees (ἔφη αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς) by telling them that they were wrong, deceived, or led astray (Οὐ διὰ τοῦτο πλανᾶσθε). They did not know the scriptures or the writings (μὴ εἰδότες τὰς γραφὰς). They also did not know the power or purpose of God (μηδὲ τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ). Simply put, they were ill-informed or stupid. Luke did not use this kind of language. Do you think that some people are stupid?
“In the resurrection,
Therefore,
Whose wife
Will this woman be?
Seven brothers
Had married her.”
ἡ γυνὴ οὖν ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει τίνος αὐτῶν γίνεται γυνή; οἱ γὰρ ἑπτὰ ἔσχον αὐτὴν γυναῖκα.
Luke indicated these Sadducees asked Jesus in the resurrection time (ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει), whose wife would this woman be (ἡ γυνὴ οὖν…τίνος αὐτῶν γίνεται γυνή), since all 7 brothers had married her (οἱ γὰρ ἑπτὰ ἔσχον αὐτὴν γυναῖκα). This story with the 7 brothers married to one woman was the set up for this question about the afterlife. The Sadducees asked whose wife would she be among these 7 brothers in the resurrected life? They were testing Jesus and questioning the concept of the resurrection after death. This kicker question of the Sadducees can also be found in Matthew, chapter 22:28, and in Mark, chapter 12:23, almost word for word. Mark said that in the resurrection (ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει), when they would rise up again (ὅταν ἀναστῶσιν), the Sadducees wanted to know whose wife would she be (τίνος αὐτῶν ἔσται γυνή)? All 7 of these brothers had married her (οἱ γὰρ ἑπτὰ ἔσχον αὐτὴν γυναῖκα). Matthew indicated that these Sadducees asked about the future resurrection (ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει οὖν). Whose wife of the 7 brothers would she be (τίνος τῶν ἑπτὰ ἔσται γυνή)? All 7 brothers had married her (πάντες γὰρ ἔσχον αὐτήν). They assumed that the afterlife would be a continuation of this present earthly life. What would happen to people who had multiple husbands or wives? How was Jesus going to answer their tricky question? Would you be confused in the future eternal life?
“Finally,
The woman
Also died.”
ὕστερον καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἀπέθανεν.
Luke indicated that the Sadducees ended their story by saying that finally (ὕστερον), this woman, who was the wife of the 7 brothers, also died (καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἀπέθανεν). This story about the death of the woman who had married 7 brothers can also be found in Matthew, chapter 22:26-27, and in Mark, chapter 12:22. Mark indicated that the Sadducees said that finally, last of all, this woman widow herself died (ἔσχατον πάντων καὶ ἡ γυνὴ ἀπέθανεν). Matthew had the Sadducees conclude that last of all, this woman widow herself died (ὕστερον δὲ πάντων ἀπέθανεν ἡ γυνή). This was a nice simple but improbable story. Have you ever heard of a woman who had 7 husbands?
“The third brother
Married her.
In the same way,
All seven brothers
Died childless.”
καὶ ὁ τρίτος ἔλαβεν αὐτήν, ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ οἱ ἑπτὰ οὐ κατέλιπον τέκνα καὶ ἀπέθανον.
Luke indicated that the Sadducees continued with their story about the 7 brothers. They said that the third brother married this widow or took her as a wife (καὶ ὁ τρίτος ἔλαβεν αὐτήν). Then in the same way, all 7 brothers died, leaving her childless (ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ οἱ ἑπτὰ οὐ κατέλιπον τέκνα καὶ ἀπέθανον). Matthew, chapter 22:26-27, and Mark, chapter 12:21-22, said almost the same thing. Mark indicated that the third brother did the same as the second brother (καὶ ὁ τρίτος ὡσαύτως). Thus, the same thing happened to the second and third brothers as happened to the first brother. They all died childless after marrying the same woman. The Sadducees said that none of the 7 brothers had any children or offspring (καὶ οἱ ἑπτὰ οὐκ ἀφῆκαν σπέρμα). Matthew indicated that likewise, the same thing happened to the second and third brother all the way down to the seventh brother (ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ δεύτερος καὶ ὁ τρίτος, ἕως τῶν ἑπτά). There was a definite pattern here. Do you think that this woman got to know that family pretty well?
“Then the second
Did also the same.”
καὶ ὁ δεύτερος
Luke indicated that the Sadducees said that the second brother (καὶ ὁ δεύτερος) did the same, that is he died with a childless widow. This story about the woman who married 7 brothers can be found in Matthew, chapter 22:26, and in Mark, chapter 12:21, very similar. Mark was a little more elaborate when he said that the 2nd brother married the widow of the 1st brother or took her as his wife (καὶ ὁ δεύτερος ἔλαβεν αὐτήν). Then he died (καὶ ἀπέθανεν) with no children or offspring (μὴ καταλιπὼν σπέρμα). Matthew simply indicated the same thing happened to the 2nd brother (ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ δεύτερος). So far 2 brothers down, 5 more to go. Do you know any large families with 7 brothers?
“Now there were
Seven brothers.
The first one married.
And died childless.”
ἑπτὰ οὖν ἀδελφοὶ ἦσαν· καὶ ὁ πρῶτος λαβὼν γυναῖκα ἀπέθανεν ἄτεκνος·
Luke indicated that the Sadducees said that there were 7 brothers (ἑπτὰ οὖν ἀδελφοὶ ἦσαν·). The first one married or took a wife (καὶ ὁ πρῶτος λαβὼν γυναῖκα), but died childless (ἀπέθανεν ἄτεκνος). This story about the woman and 7 brothers can be found in Matthew, chapter 22:25, and in Mark, chapter 12:20, almost word for word. This story was fairly well known. Mark said that there were 7 brothers (ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοὶ ἦσαν). The first one married or took a wife (καὶ ὁ πρῶτος ἔλαβεν γυναῖκα). Then he died (καὶ ἀποθνῄσκων). He was childless, since he had no seed descendants or offspring (οὐκ ἀφῆκεν σπέρμα). Matthew said that the first one married (καὶ ὁ πρῶτος γήμας). Then he died (ἐτελεύτησεν). He was childless since he had no descendants or offspring (καὶ μὴ ἔχων σπέρμα). Thus, he left his widowed wife to his brother (ἀφῆκεν τὴν γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ). You can see where this story is going. Do you know anyone who married his or her dead brother’s or sister’s widow or widower?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 