What does Luke 20:34 mean?
The Sadducees are trying to trap Jesus in a theological paradox. They do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. They know that Jesus does; He regularly talks about the judgment people will receive after they die (Matthew 5:21–22).What the Sadducees do believe in is the Mosaic law. And they believe Jews are responsible for doing what is right. This includes practicing levirate marriage. If a man is married and dies childless, his brother is responsible to marry his wife and have a son in his name (Deuteronomy 25:5–6). They are using this system while attempting to trap Jesus. They present a hypothetical scenario in which a woman marries seven brothers, one at a time, but remains childless as each one dies. Then, she dies. If the resurrection of the dead is true, to which brother is she married (Luke 20:27–33)?
Jesus patiently answers their question: none of them. Now, on earth in this age, sons—male offspring of a family head—marry. But if they are found worthy of resurrection, they don't. There is no marriage in the age of the resurrection. They are like angels in that regard. It's not that marriage is meaningless, or unimportant. Rather, it's that "marriage" doesn't apply to the post-resurrection experience (Luke 20:35–36).
The Sadducees had hoped to expose Jesus as a teacher with nonsensical beliefs, and therefore not worth following. Like many skeptics today, they failed to see errors in their own worldview. They also ignored the ramifications if Jesus is right. Because if Jesus is right, no matter our doubts, misunderstandings, or possible errors we find in Scripture, there is always an answer.
The ESV says, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage." Other translations say women are given in marriage. Good arguments could be made for either representation.
Luke 20:27–40 records the Sadducees trying to discredit Jesus' authority to teach. They plan to present a paradox about marriage and the resurrection of the dead. Leaders of other religious sects have already failed to embarrass Jesus regarding the law and civil responsibilities (Luke 20:19–26). Jesus easily explains away the Sadducees' argument using the very text which their sect reveres: the Torah. He continues with proof that the Christ has authority over David and warns the people to be wary of the scribes' hypocrisy (Luke 20:41–47). This debate is also recorded in Matthew 22:23–33 and Mark 12:18–27.
After His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus find Himself in conflict with the city's religious leaders. Elders, priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees all attempt to discredit Him. This comes mostly in challenging Jesus with trick questions. Jesus deftly handles those challenges without falling into the trap. He provides several teachings about His role as the Son of God and directly warns the Jewish people against their generation of scribes, who are arrogant and pretentious.
