Luke 20:34

Luke 20:34, in plain English

Jesus starts by saying that people in this present age marry and are given in marriage. He's about to explain that the next life isn't just more of the same.

Why it's here

The Sadducees' question assumes heaven runs on the same rules as earth. Jesus is going to blow that assumption wide open.

Who's speaking

Jesus begins His answer by acknowledging how things work in this life before revealing how things work in the next.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus doesn't dismiss their question — He reframes it. Yes, marriage belongs to this life. But the life to come is so different that their question simply doesn't apply.

The scholarly reading

Jesus begins His response by distinguishing 'the sons of this age' (hoi huioi tou aiōnos toutou) who marry, from those in the age to come. He establishes a qualitative distinction between earthly and resurrection existence.

Language and setting

The phrase 'sons of this age' reflects Semitic idiom for those who belong to the present world order. Marriage is appropriate to this age because of mortality and the need for procreation, but these conditions will not obtain in the resurrection.

Voice

Jesus begins answering the Sadducees by establishing the fundamental difference between this age and the age to come.

Significance

Jesus begins dismantling their argument at its foundation. The whole question assumes the next life is just the current one extended. Jesus reveals it's something fundamentally different.

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.

36In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.

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.