Luke 20:33

Luke 20:33, in plain English

Now they ask: 'In the resurrection, whose wife will she be? All seven were married to her!' They think this makes resurrection sound absurd.

Why it's here

Their question assumes heaven is just more of the same — same relationships, same rules. But Jesus is about to show them that the afterlife is far more than a repeat of this life.

Who's speaking

The Sadducees deliver their big question with confidence, expecting it to stump Jesus.

Where it sits in the story

The trap is sprung: seven husbands, one wife, whose is she? It sounds unanswerable — until Jesus reveals that they're asking the wrong question entirely.

The scholarly reading

The Sadducees pose their climactic question: whose wife will she be in the resurrection, since all seven had her? The question assumes resurrection life is simply an extension of earthly conditions.

Language and setting

The logical force depends on two assumptions: that resurrection means resumption of earthly relationships, and that Torah's silence on resurrection implies its impossibility. Jesus will challenge both assumptions.

Voice

The Sadducees deliver their prepared question about marital status in the resurrection.

Significance

The question lands with all the force they intended: seven legitimate husbands, one wife — whose is she? The question only works if resurrection is just a reboot of earthly life. It's not.

31and the third married the widow, and in the same way all seven died, leaving no children.

32And last of all, the woman died.

33So then, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven were married to her.”

34Jesus answered, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.

35But those who are considered worthy to share in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage.

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.