CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 20:29 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife, but died childless.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/20-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/42_Luk_20_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 20:29 - The Sadducees and the Resurrection" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife, but died childless." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/20-29.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/20-29.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 29</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/20-28.htm" title="Luke 20:28">◄</a> Luke 20:29 <a href="/luke/20-30.htm" title="Luke 20:30">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore there were seven brothers. And the first, having taken a wife, died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So then, there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers; and the first married a wife and died childless,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers; and the first took a wife and died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />There were once seven brothers. The first one married, but died without having any children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />There were seven brothers. The first got married and died without having children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Once there were seven brothers; the oldest got married and died without having children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died childless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />There were therefore seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first of them took a wife and died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />There were, then, seven brothers, and the first having taken a wife, died childless,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/20.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore there were seven brothers. And the first, having taken a wife, died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'There were, then, seven brothers, and the first having taken a wife, died childless,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Therefore were there seven brethren: and the first having taken a wife, died without children.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and he died without sons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers; the first married and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/20.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“But there were seven brothers and the first took a wife and he died without sons.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/20.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />There were, therefore, seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died without children;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/20.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then there were seven brothers; and the first receiving a wife died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/20.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers: and the first taking a wife, died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/20.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />now there were seven brothers, the first of which marry'd, and died without children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/20.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Now there were seven brothers. The first of them took a wife and died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/20.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />There were, therefore, seven brothers; and the first, taking a wife, died childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/20.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died childless; and the second took the wife, and he died childless;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/20-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=8051" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/20.htm">The Sadducees and the Resurrection</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">28</span>“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. <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēsan (V-IIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">there were</a> <a href="/greek/2033.htm" title="2033: hepta (Adj-NMP) -- Seven. A primary number; seven.">seven</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphoi (N-NMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">The</a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōtos (Adj-NMS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">first one</a> <a href="/greek/2983.htm" title="2983: labōn (V-APA-NMS) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">married</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">a wife,</a> <a href="/greek/599.htm" title="599: apethanen (V-AIA-3S) -- To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.">but died</a> <a href="/greek/815.htm" title="815: ateknos (Adj-NMS) -- Childless. Childless.">childless.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">30</span>Then the second…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-24.htm">Matthew 22:24-28</a></span><br />“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. / Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother. / The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-19.htm">Mark 12:19-23</a></span><br />“Teacher, 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. / Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children. / Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-6</a></span><br />When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-5.htm">Ruth 4:5-10</a></span><br />Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” / Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/38-8.htm">Genesis 38:8</a></span><br />Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/27-8.htm">Numbers 27:8-11</a></span><br />Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. / If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. / If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a></span><br />For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">1 Timothy 5:14</a></span><br />So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-42.htm">1 Corinthians 15:42-44</a></span><br />So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. / It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. / It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-6.htm">Exodus 3:6</a></span><br />Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-8.htm">Acts 23:8</a></span><br />For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-35.htm">Hebrews 11:35</a></span><br />Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/19-25.htm">Job 19:25-27</a></span><br />But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. / Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. / I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm">Isaiah 26:19</a></span><br />Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">There were therefore seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and died without children.</p><p class="hdg">and died.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20</a></b></br> And 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/22-30.htm">Jeremiah 22:30</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man <i>that</i> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/20-28.htm">Childless</a> <a href="/luke/20-28.htm">Children</a> <a href="/luke/16-22.htm">Died</a> <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">End</a> <a href="/luke/19-16.htm">First</a> <a href="/luke/17-27.htm">Married</a> <a href="/luke/17-4.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/luke/20-28.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/20-30.htm">Childless</a> <a href="/luke/20-31.htm">Children</a> <a href="/luke/20-30.htm">Died</a> <a href="/luke/20-31.htm">End</a> <a href="/luke/20-46.htm">First</a> <a href="/luke/20-31.htm">Married</a> <a href="/luke/20-31.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/luke/20-30.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-9.htm">The parable of the vineyard.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-19.htm">Of giving tribute to Caesar.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-27.htm">He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-41.htm">How Jesus is the Son of David.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">45. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/20-45.htm">He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now there were seven brothers.</b><br>This phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario presented by the Sadducees to Jesus. The Sadducees were a Jewish sect known for their denial of the resurrection, angels, and spirits, focusing instead on the Torah. The number seven is often symbolic in the Bible, representing completeness or perfection. The use of seven brothers in this context may emphasize the thoroughness of the scenario they are presenting to challenge Jesus.<p><b>The first one married a wife</b><br>Marriage in Jewish culture was a significant covenant, often arranged by families to ensure the continuation of lineage and inheritance. The mention of marriage here sets the stage for a discussion on levirate marriage, a practice outlined in <a href="/deuteronomy/25-5.htm">Deuteronomy 25:5-10</a>, where a man is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow if the brother died without offspring. This practice was intended to preserve the family line and property within the tribe.<p><b>but died childless.</b><br>Dying childless was considered a misfortune in ancient Jewish society, as children were seen as a blessing from God and a means to carry on the family name and inheritance. The absence of children in this scenario is crucial, as it triggers the levirate marriage obligation. This detail also highlights the Sadducees' focus on earthly concerns and inheritance, contrasting with Jesus' teachings on eternal life and the kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/seven_brothers.htm">Seven Brothers</a></b><br>A hypothetical group of siblings used in the Sadducees' question to Jesus. They represent a scenario meant to challenge the concept of resurrection.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_first_brother.htm">The First Brother</a></b><br>The eldest of the seven brothers who marries but dies without leaving any children, setting the stage for the Levirate marriage question.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wife.htm">The Wife</a></b><br>The woman who marries the first brother and becomes central to the Sadducees' question about resurrection and marriage.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sadducees.htm">Sadducees</a></b><br>A Jewish sect during Jesus' time known for denying the resurrection of the dead, which is why they pose this question to Jesus.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in the Gospel who is being questioned by the Sadducees to test His teachings on the resurrection.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_resurrection.htm">Understanding the Resurrection</a></b><br>The Sadducees' question highlights a misunderstanding of the resurrection. Jesus' response clarifies that earthly institutions like marriage do not apply in the same way in the afterlife.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god.htm">The Power of God</a></b><br>Jesus emphasizes that the power of God transcends human understanding and limitations, including life after death.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/scriptural_knowledge.htm">Scriptural Knowledge</a></b><br>The Sadducees' question reveals a lack of understanding of the Scriptures and the power of God. Believers are encouraged to study the Word deeply to understand God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_eternal_life.htm">Faith in Eternal Life</a></b><br>The passage encourages believers to have faith in the promise of eternal life, trusting in God's plan beyond this earthly existence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/challenge_of_legalism.htm">Challenge of Legalism</a></b><br>The Sadducees' focus on legalistic interpretations serves as a warning against missing the spirit of the law and the broader truths of God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_embodies_the_essence_of_power.htm">Are they like God's angels in heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_resurrection_plausible_without_evidence.htm">Luke 20:27-40: In what way is the concept of resurrection here scientifically or historically plausible if we have no evidence for life after death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jesus_say_to_'hate'_family.htm">Luke 14:26: Why does Jesus command followers to 'hate' their family, contradicting the biblical admonition to honor parents (Exodus 20:12)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_biblical_woman_shows_faith,_strength.htm">Who exemplifies faith and strength among biblical women?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 29-33.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">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.</span> The question here put to the Master was a well-known materialistic objection to the resurrection, and had on several occasions Been asked by these shallow Epicureans - as the Talmud calls them - to the great rabbis of the schools of the Pharisees. Their usual answer was that the woman in question would be the wife of the first husband. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/20-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there were</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦσαν</span> <span class="translit">(ēsan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seven</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑπτὰ</span> <span class="translit">(hepta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2033.htm">Strong's 2033: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven. A primary number; seven.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brothers.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀδελφοὶ</span> <span class="translit">(adelphoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">first [one]</span><br /><span class="grk">πρῶτος</span> <span class="translit">(prōtos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">married</span><br /><span class="grk">λαβὼν</span> <span class="translit">(labōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">a wife,</span><br /><span class="grk">γυναῖκα</span> <span class="translit">(gynaika)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> </span><span class="str2">A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[but] died</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπέθανεν</span> <span class="translit">(apethanen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_599.htm">Strong's 599: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">childless.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄτεκνος</span> <span class="translit">(ateknos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_815.htm">Strong's 815: </a> </span><span class="str2">Childless. Childless.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/20-29.htm">Luke 20:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/20-29.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 20:29 There were therefore seven brothers (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/20-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 20:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 20:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/20-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 20:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 20:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>