Luke 20:28 – “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, the Sadducees approach Jesus with a question about a specific Old Testament law known as the levirate marriage law. According to this law, if a man died without leaving children, his brother was obligated to marry the widow and have children on behalf of the deceased brother. The firstborn son from this union would be considered the legal heir of the deceased brother, ensuring that his name and family line would continue (Deuteronomy 25:5-6).
The Sadducees reference this law as the basis for a hypothetical scenario they are about to present to Jesus, which is designed to challenge the idea of resurrection. They think that by presenting an extreme and absurd example, they can show that belief in resurrection leads to confusion and contradictions. But as we see later in the passage, Jesus isn’t trapped by their question. Instead, He exposes their misunderstanding of God’s power and the reality of the afterlife.
Historical Context
The law of levirate marriage was a significant part of Jewish family and social life. In ancient Israel, having children was not only important for inheritance and family legacy but also seen as a way to preserve a man’s name and property within the community. If a man died without children, the responsibility to produce heirs fell to his brother to ensure that the family’s name and land were not lost.
By the time of Jesus, this practice was still understood, but its application had diminished, particularly among groups like the Sadducees who prioritized their political and theological interpretations over traditional laws. The Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection, and they used this law to argue against it, assuming that the continuation of family lineage on earth was the only way to achieve “immortality.”
Theological Implications
This verse introduces a theological debate about the nature of life after death. The Sadducees believed that the afterlife didn’t exist and that any hope of “eternal life” was tied to preserving one’s name and legacy through descendants. However, Jesus’ response shows that God’s promise of resurrection goes far beyond earthly concerns. Eternal life is not about continuing family lines or preserving earthly legacies—it’s about living forever in God’s presence.
Theologically, this verse highlights the difference between a human-centered understanding of life and death and God’s eternal plan. The Sadducees saw life and death only through the lens of human logic and tradition, but Jesus pointed them to the greater truth that resurrection life is a new kind of existence beyond earthly concerns.
Literary Analysis
The Sadducees begin their question by addressing Jesus as “Teacher,” a common title of respect, but their intent is not genuine. They aren’t seeking wisdom—they are trying to trap Him with a difficult theological question. Luke uses this setup to highlight the contrast between the Sadducees’ limited understanding and Jesus’ divine wisdom.
Their reference to Moses also reflects their reliance on the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) as their primary source of authority. The Sadducees rejected the oral traditions and additional teachings that the Pharisees followed, making this appeal to Moses a central part of their argument.
Biblical Cross-References
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 – The commandment regarding levirate marriage, explaining the responsibility of a brother to marry the widow of his deceased brother.
- Genesis 38:6-10 – The story of Onan and Tamar, an example of levirate marriage in practice.
- Matthew 22:23-24 – The parallel account where the Sadducees present the same question to Jesus.
- Ruth 4:1-10 – The story of Boaz acting as a kinsman-redeemer, which is connected to the concept of levirate marriage and family preservation.
- Isaiah 26:19 – An Old Testament reference to the resurrection, showing that God’s promise of life after death was present in the Hebrew Scriptures.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christians, this verse highlights the importance of understanding God’s promises through the lens of faith rather than human logic. The Sadducees were focused on earthly concerns, like family lineage and inheritance, but Jesus teaches that eternal life is something far greater. Christians are called to trust in the promise of resurrection, knowing that God’s power extends beyond what we can comprehend.
It also challenges us to avoid reducing faith to a set of human rules or traditions. The Sadducees’ mistake was that they limited their understanding of God to what they could find in certain parts of Scripture, ignoring the broader message of God’s power and eternal plan. Believers today should be careful not to do the same—God’s truth is revealed through all of Scripture and through the work of the Holy Spirit.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the way He provides for His people, both in this life and in eternity. The law of levirate marriage was a way to protect widows and preserve families, demonstrating God’s care for His people’s needs. But His love goes even further—He doesn’t just provide for our earthly needs; He offers us eternal life through the resurrection.
God’s love is also evident in His patience with those who misunderstand or doubt His power. Even when the Sadducees challenged Jesus with wrong motives, He responded with truth and grace, giving them the opportunity to understand God’s plan for eternal life.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse sets up a conversation that points directly to Jesus’ role as the one who brings resurrection and eternal life. The Sadducees saw death as the end of existence, but Jesus would soon prove them wrong by rising from the dead. His resurrection is the foundation of the Christian hope for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20).
Jesus also fulfills the role of a “kinsman-redeemer,” a concept related to levirate marriage. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth and her family’s legacy, Jesus redeems humanity through His death and resurrection, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him (Ephesians 1:7). His victory over death shows that life in God’s kingdom is not limited by earthly concerns.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why did the Sadducees use the law of levirate marriage to try to disprove the resurrection?
- How does understanding the promise of resurrection affect the way you view life and death?
- Are there ways in which you’ve limited your understanding of God’s power by relying on human logic or tradition?
- How can Jesus’ resurrection give you hope in the face of uncertainty or loss?
- What does this passage teach you about trusting God’s eternal plan, even when it goes beyond what you can understand?