Luke 20:27 - Printer Friendly

What does Luke 20:27 mean?

ESV: There came to him some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,

NIV: Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question.

NASB: Now some of the Sadducees (who maintain that there is no resurrection) came to Him,

CSB: Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up and questioned him:

NLT: Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees — religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead.

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

NKJV: Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,

Verse Commentary:

Modern Judaism involves multiple groups with widely varied beliefs. The same was also true in Jesus' era; during His earthly ministry He interacted with various political and religious perspectives depending on the faction involved. However, most of Jesus' recorded interactions are with a particular group: the Pharisees, along with their Old Testament lawyers, called "scribes." In that time, Pharisees could be found wherever Jewish people lived. They used their piety to win the approval of the common people. The Pharisees followed the Mosaic law plus a set of regulations written after the Babylonian captivity. This "Oral Law" claims to clarify—and expand—the Law of Moses. Pharisees did not approve of Rome's occupation of Judea but were too jealous of Jesus' popularity to trust Him to free the Jews. Among their spiritual beliefs was resurrection of the dead: that faithful Jews of years gone by would one day enjoy God's blessings.

Other than the most basic aspects of Judaism, the Sadducees were opposites of the Pharisees. They lived primarily in and around the urban environment of Jerusalem. Sadducees followed the five books of Moses, but no other Old Testament writings. They had no use for the Pharisees' extra-biblical Oral Law. They considered Pharisees an unreasonably progressive group. Spiritually, Sadducees were much more worldly and utilitarian. They did not accept the resurrection of the dead nor the immortality of the soul. Their sect was friendly with the occupying Romans because of the financial benefits. Scholars believe most of the priests in Jesus' era were Sadducees.

This chapter began with local leaders challenging Jesus' authority to clear merchants and money changers from the Court of the Gentiles. Part of their motive was to discredit Him in front of the crowd; Jesus knew this and reversed the trap, presenting a dilemma that threatened to turn the crowd against His critics. Then He told a parable warning that His enemies were going to kill the Son of God and face judgment (Luke 20:1–18).

Next, priests and Pharisees (Matthew 22:15) tried to trick Jesus. They tried to force a decision between two terrible options. First was appearing to revere the pagan emperor; this would make Him break the Mosaic law. The other was honoring Moses while appearing to violate Roman law. Jesus defused the challenge by explaining that Jews needed to follow both non-conflicting obligations (Luke 20:19–26).

The Sadducees have seen religious and legal traps fail. So, they try something theological. They provide a scenario that seems to say that if the resurrection of the dead is true, women will have multiple husbands in eternity. Jesus disputes the foundation of their argument—as there is no marriage in eternity—and then uses the words of God as recorded by Moses to prove that death is not the end (Luke 20:28–40).

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.

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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.

Accessed 5/3/2024 2:36:11 PM