Luke 20:34

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

Luke 20:34 (KJV)

Context

Jesus spoke these words in answer to the Sadducees, a religious group who denied the resurrection and tried to trap Him with a question about a woman who had married seven brothers in succession. They asked whose wife she would be in the resurrection. Jesus’ reply begins with a clear contrast between the present age and the age to come.

The phrase “children of this world” refers to all people living in the present mortal state, both good and bad. In this current age, marriage is the divinely instituted norm for human life. It provides comfort, raises families, and secures heirs to inherit estates and possessions. Because people in this age die, marriage is necessary to continue the human race. Jesus’ statement is not a condemnation of marriage but a description of its role in the present world order.

Meaning

Jesus acknowledges that marriage is a normal part of life in this world. Yet His answer points beyond the present order. In the resurrection, those who are accounted worthy to obtain that world will neither marry nor be given in marriage. The reason is that they cannot die anymore and are equal to the angels, being children of God and of the resurrection. The purpose of marriage in this age is tied to mortality and succession, a purpose that will no longer exist in the resurrection state.

This teaching does not imply the absence of relationships in the afterlife. Rather, it emphasizes the transformation and superiority of those relationships. Believers will experience a deep and meaningful connection with God and with one another that surpasses the earthly institution of marriage.

Biblical connections

Jesus’ response corrects the Sadducees’ ignorance of the Scriptures and the power of God. Marriage was ordained for this earthly life, but the resurrection brings a glorified existence that transcends the limitations and concerns of this world. The focus of the resurrection is not on human relationships as we know them, but on the transformed spiritual state of believers and their eternal fellowship with God.

Application

For believers today, this verse encourages a heavenly perspective. While marriage is a gift and a responsibility in this life, it is not the ultimate reality. Our hope rests in the resurrection and the eternal relationship with God that awaits us. This truth can shape how we live now, holding earthly blessings loosely and investing in what will endure forever.

Reflection

Jesus’ words invite us to trust that the life to come will be far greater than anything we know here. The same power that raises the dead will also transform our relationships and our very being. We can look forward to that day with hope, knowing that God’s purposes for us are not limited by the patterns of this present age.