The Sadducees and the Resurrection

(Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27)

27 Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,[fn] came to question Him. 28 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies [and] leaves a wife but no children, [the man] is to marry [his brother’s] [widow] and raise up offspring for [him].[fn] 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first [one] married a wife [but] died childless. 30 Then the second took her as wife, and he died childless.[fn] 31 And the third married [the widow], and in the same way [all] seven died, leaving no children. 32 And last of all, the woman died. 33 So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For [all] seven were married to her.”

34 Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to share in the age [to come] and in the resurrection from [the] dead {will} neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like [the] angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.

37 Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, [ in the passage ] about the [ burning ] bush. For he calls [the] Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[fn] 38 He is not [the] God of [the] dead, but of [the] living, for to Him all are alive.”

39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!” 40 And[fn] they did not dare to question Him any [further].