Luke 20:32 - Printer Friendly

Chief priests and Pharisees have tried to discredit Jesus by questioning the source of His authority and His views on paying taxes to a pagan government (Luke 20:1–26). The Sadducees set a smaller, tighter trap. They want to prove that Jesus' teaching about the resurrection of the dead is inconsistent with the Mosaic law. The Law of Moses—the first five books of Scripture—is the foundation of the nation of Israel and the identity of the Jewish people. If the Sadducees make it appear that part of the Law and one of His teachings—resurrection—are incompatible, the Sadducees will win back the hearts of the people.

The law in question is "levirate marriage." This practice meant that if a man dies married but childless, his widow is to marry his brother and their first child will be the first man's heir. Their thought experiment suggests a woman who marries a man, but he dies childless. So, she marries his next brother; he also dies childless. Then a third, and a fourth, and so on through seven brothers (Luke 20:27–31). Then she dies.

Their question is, "In the resurrection…whose wife will the woman be?" (Luke 20:33).

Under most circumstances, this discussion would be legitimate. Rabbis and their students would debate such questions regularly. Jesus plays along, despite their insincerity. First, He explains that their question doesn't even make sense: there is no marriage in eternity. Then, He uses their own preferred authority of Moses and the Patriarchs to prove that resurrection is true. His answer is so clever and convincing, no one dares to ask Him anything more (Luke 20:34–40).

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.

Luke 20 is a chiasm about authority. Jesus has entered Jerusalem and cleansed the temple (Luke 19:28–46). Now, the priests and teachers attack Jesus' authority in religion, law, and doctrine; Jesus defends Himself and shows their sinful lifestyles disqualify them for authority. After holding up a widow as a better role model (Luke 21:1–4), Jesus warns His disciples about the challenges they will face in the coming years, including the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21:5–38). The events in Luke 20 are also discussed in Matthew 21—23 and Mark 11—12.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.