Notes on Luke 20:26-40

Luke 20:26

The sinful craftiness of men could not match Jesus' godly wisdom (see v. 23; 2:40, 52; 1 Cor. 1:24, 30).

Luke 20:27

Sadducees. An important religious sect in first century Judaism. They were wealthy and enjoyed political power and influence. They were happy to cooperate with the Roman government to maintain their power. They often emphasized the first five book of the Bible (called the Torah) over the rest. resurrection. They also denied the bodily resurrection (Acts 23:6-8), angels, and other supernatural elements of the Jewish faith.

Luke 20:28

The Sadducees summarized the practice of levirate marriage. This term comes from the Latin word levir which means brother. This practice involved a man marrying his deceased brother's childless wife (Gen. 38:8; Deut. 25:5-6). This ensured the preservation of Israel's tribal bloodlines and inheritance. It also ensured care for the widow. It was not an excuse for polygamy or adultery (Lev. 18:16; 20:21).

Luke 20:29-33

As with the Pharisees before (vv. 20-22), the Sadducees' question was designed to trap Jesus. They presented an unlikely situation meant to mock the idea of the resurrection (see v. 27). left no children. Without a child, none of the seven men had a superior claim to be her husband.

Luke 20:34

Jesus replied by first affirming the goodness of marriage which God instituted for humanity (Gen. 2:18-25). It was given to help us understand his love for the church (Eph. 5:25-32)

Luke 20:35

regarded as worthy. God is the one who regards people as worthy for the kingdom (Col. 1:12-14). This happens through repentance and faith in Christ (Mark 1:14-15). that age. Many people in Jesus' day misunderstood the differences between this present age (v. 34) and the age to come. Eternal life is very different from earthly life (1 Cor. 15:40-44). Marriage will end because that which marriage pointed to will become reality (Eph. 5:31-32; Rev. 19:6-9). Since marriage is not part of the life after resurrection, their question is pointless. They were caught in their own trap (see note on vv. 29-33).

Luke 20:36

sons of God. Believers are adopted as God's children in Christ and given the same inheritance and privileges as son (Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 4:4-7). sons of the resurrection. Those who experience resurrection in Christ have eternal life and will never die again (John 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:20-22). equal to the angels. This does not mean believers become angels. They remain human, though glorified. Like angels, they will dwell forever in God's presence and reflect his glory (Rev. 21:9–22:5).

Luke 20:37-38

Jesus rooted in his teaching on the resurrection in the Old Testament Scriptures. He utilized God's words to Moses prove the patriarchs were not dead, but alive with God (see Exod. 3:1–4:17). The Lord did not say that I was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Those who have trusted and walked with God and his promises find themselves in his presence upon death. One day they will be raised to new life (see 1 Thess. 4:16-18)

Luke 20:39-40

This was an incredibly persuasive argument for Jesus to make in the context of the question (v. 33). They were shown to be wrong about their rejection of the resurrection by the very part of Scriptures that Sadducees valued (see note on v. 27). Though they tried to trap Jesus, his answer left them unable to respond.

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