Luke 20:28

Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Luke 20:28 (KJV)

Context

In this verse, the Sadducees address Jesus as “Master” and cite the law of Moses concerning levirate marriage. The Sadducees were a religious group among the Jews who denied the resurrection, and they brought this question to test Jesus and challenge His authority. Their appeal to Moses shows they acknowledged the authority of the Pentateuch, yet they misunderstood the power of God and the nature of the resurrection.

Meaning

The Levirate law, derived from the Hebrew word “levir,” meaning “brother-in-law,” is described in Deuteronomy 25:5-10. It required that if a man died without children, his brother should marry the widow and raise up offspring to carry on the deceased brother’s name and preserve his family line and inheritance. In Luke 20:28, the religious leaders refer to this law and present a hypothetical scenario: a man dies childless, his brother marries the widow according to the law, and this continues through seven brothers, none leaving children. The phrase “raise up seed” reflects the Hebrew concept of preserving a brother’s name and inheritance.

Biblical connections

The parallel accounts in Matthew 22:23-33 and Mark 12:18-27 record the same encounter, showing this was a coordinated challenge to Jesus’ teaching on the resurrection. Jesus responds in the following verses, correcting their error by affirming that in the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage, but will be like angels and be children of God, being sons of the resurrection (Luke 20:34-36). He also demonstrates from the Pentateuch itself that the dead are raised, underscoring the authority of Scripture and the need to interpret it rightly.

Application

This passage reminds us that earthly customs and laws, such as the Levirate law, were applicable in the present age, but in the age to come, the dynamics of relationships will be different. The resurrection is not limited by earthly institutions. We are called to trust in God’s power and to interpret Scripture carefully, especially regarding the life to come, rather than imposing our limited understanding on God’s promises.

Reflection

Jesus’ response to the Sadducees teaches us that God’s power and purposes extend beyond our present circumstances. The hope of resurrection transforms how we view life, relationships, and the authority of Scripture. We can rest in the assurance that God, who raised the dead, will fulfill His promises in ways that surpass our earthly expectations.