Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Luke 20:27–36

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
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.
There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
Last of all the woman died also.
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

10 selected · 0 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

10-verse limit− Remove Luke 20:27
10-verse limit− Remove Luke 20:36

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

33 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 27

  1. Acts 4:1–2Rank 1 from verse 27
    Open

    1AND as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

    2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

  2. 1 Corinthians 15:12Rank 2 from verse 27
    Open

    12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

  3. Mark 12:18–27Rank 3 from verse 27
    Open

    18¶ Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

    19Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

    20Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

    21And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.

    22And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

    23In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

    24And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

    25For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

    26And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

    27He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

  4. Matthew 22:23–33Rank 4 from verse 27
    Open

    23¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

    24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

    25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

    26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

    27And last of all the woman died also.

    28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

    29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

    30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

    31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

    32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

    33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

  5. Acts 23:6–8Rank 5 from verse 27
    Open

    6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

    7And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

    8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

From verse 28

  1. Deuteronomy 25:5–10Rank 1 from verse 28
    Open

    5¶ If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her.

    6And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.

    7And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother.

    8Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;

    9Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house.

    10And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

  2. Genesis 38:8Rank 2 from verse 28
    Open

    8And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother’s wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

  3. Genesis 38:11Rank 3 from verse 28
    Open

    11Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father’s house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father’s house.

  4. Genesis 38:26Rank 4 from verse 28
    Open

    26And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

  5. Ruth 1:11–12Rank 5 from verse 28
    Open

    11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

    12Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

From verse 29

  1. Jeremiah 22:30Rank 1 from verse 29
    Open

    30Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

  2. Leviticus 20:20Rank 2 from verse 29
    Open

    20And if a man shall lie with his uncle’s wife, he hath uncovered his uncle’s nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.

From verse 32

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:4Rank 1 from verse 32
    Open

    4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

  2. Ecclesiastes 9:5Rank 2 from verse 32
    Open

    5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

  3. Hebrews 9:27Rank 3 from verse 32
    Open

    27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

  4. Judges 2:10Rank 4 from verse 32
    Open

    10And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

From verse 33

  1. Matthew 22:24–28Rank 1 from verse 33
    Open

    24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

    25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

    26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

    27And last of all the woman died also.

    28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

  2. Mark 12:19–23Rank 2 from verse 33
    Open

    19Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

    20Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

    21And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.

    22And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

    23In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

From verse 34

  1. Luke 16:8Rank 1 from verse 34
    Open

    8And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

  2. Hebrews 13:4Rank 2 from verse 34
    Open

    4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  3. Luke 17:27Rank 3 from verse 34
    Open

    27They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

  4. 1 Corinthians 7:2–16Rank 4 from verse 34
    Open

    2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

    3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

    4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

    5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

    6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

    7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

    8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

    9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

    10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

    11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

    12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

    13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

    14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

    15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

    16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

  5. Ephesians 5:31Rank 5 from verse 34
    Open

    31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

From verse 35

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:5Rank 1 from verse 35
    Open

    5Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

  2. Daniel 12:2–3Rank 2 from verse 35
    Open

    2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

    3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

  3. John 5:29Rank 3 from verse 35
    Open

    29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

  4. Matthew 12:32Rank 4 from verse 35
    Open

    32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

  5. Acts 24:15Rank 5 from verse 35
    Open

    15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

From verse 36

  1. Philippians 3:21Rank 1 from verse 36
    Open

    21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

  2. Revelation 21:4Rank 2 from verse 36
    Open

    4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

  3. Matthew 22:30Rank 3 from verse 36
    Open

    30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

  4. 1 Corinthians 15:42Rank 4 from verse 36
    Open

    42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

  5. Revelation 20:6Rank 5 from verse 36
    Open

    6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:27

COMBINED MEANING

certain

↗

1. A particular person, thing, place, time, amount, or number not named or not further specified; also some members or portion of a group. 2. Sure, settled, true, reliable, or known beyond doubt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

deny

↗

To refuse, disown, contradict, renounce, or declare not to be true.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:28

COMBINED MEANING

master

↗

One possessing authority, ownership, command, supervision, or superior skill: an owner, employer, household head, teacher, leader, ship commander, or lord.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wrote

↗

Set down, recorded, composed, or communicated in writing; the past tense of write.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brother

↗

Sense 1: A male sibling; a near kinsman. Sense 2: A fellow member of a people or faith.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

without

↗

Outside or on the exterior; beyond a boundary; lacking, absent, free from, not accompanied by, or apart from the person, thing, condition, means, or relation named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

take

↗

To receive, seize, carry, accept, choose, or lay hold of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

raise

↗

Sense 1: To rouse; to stir up. Sense 2: To lift or set upright. Sense 3: To exalt. Sense 4: To build or produce. Sense 5: To call forth. Sense 6: To restore to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

seed

↗

Sense 1: The reproductive substance of a plant or creature, especially what is sown to produce after its kind. Sense 2: Offspring, descendants, or lineage. Sense 3: A beginning, source, or thing sown that produces a result.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:29

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

without

↗

Outside or on the exterior; beyond a boundary; lacking, absent, free from, not accompanied by, or apart from the person, thing, condition, means, or relation named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:30

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:31

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

left

↗

Sense 1: Past tense and past participle of leave: departed, abandoned, allowed to remain, or caused to remain. Sense 2: The direction or side opposite the right.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:32

COMBINED MEANING

last

↗

At the end or after all others; latest or final.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:33

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:34

COMBINED MEANING

answering

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

marriage

↗

Sense 1: The covenant union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. Sense 2: The celebration of that union.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:35

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

accounted

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of account, meaning to reckon, consider, or give an account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

worthy

↗

Sense 1: Deserving, fit, suitable, or having worth. Sense 2: As a noun, a person of merit, rank, or valor.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dead

↗

Sense 1: Without life; deprived of life. Sense 2: Lifeless, inactive, insensible, or separated from a former state by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

neither

↗

1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

marriage

↗

Sense 1: The covenant union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. Sense 2: The celebration of that union.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Luke 20:36

COMBINED MEANING

neither

↗

1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

equal

↗

Sense 1: The same in measure, value, standing, or likeness. Sense 2: Just, right, or even.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

COMBINED MEANING

angels

↗

Sense 1: Messengers. Sense 2: Heavenly or spiritual messengers, whether holy or fallen as stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

26And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.

27¶ Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

Selected passage

28Saying, 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.

Selected passage

29There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

Selected passage

30And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.

Selected passage

31And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.

Selected passage

32Last of all the woman died also.

Selected passage

33Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.

Selected passage

34And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:

Selected passage

35But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Selected passage

36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Selected passage

37Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.