Authority Questioned
“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. Luke 20:28 · Berean Standard Bible
They start with a law Moses wrote: if a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow and have children for him. They're building up to a 'gotcha' moment.
This law was about protecting families and keeping inheritances intact. The Sadducees are about to twist it into an argument against resurrection.
The Sadducees carefully build their case using Scripture, setting up a hypothetical scenario.
They start with something everyone agrees on — Moses' law. But they're using it as building blocks for a question designed to make resurrection sound absurd.
The Sadducees cite Moses' levirate marriage law (Deuteronomy 25:5-6), which required a man to marry his deceased brother's widow to produce an heir. They use Torah — their own authority — as the basis for their challenge.
Levirate marriage (from Latin levir, 'husband's brother') was designed to preserve a man's name and inheritance in Israel. The Sadducees' use of Mosaic law is strategic, as they only accept Torah authority.
The Sadducees cite Moses to set up their hypothetical scenario about resurrection.
The Sadducees build their case carefully on Moses' own words, knowing that's the only authority they and their opponents share. The trap is theologically sophisticated — but built on a misunderstanding.
26And they were unable to trap Him in His words before the people. And amazed at His answer, they fell silent.
27Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him.
28“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.
29Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a wife but died childless.
30Then the second
Read all of Luke 20 — The religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority. He answers with a parable about murderous tenants that leaves them furious and afraid.
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