Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife (Διδάσκαλε, Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν/Didaskale, Mōusēs eipen). The Sadducees address Jesus as διδάσκαλος (didaskalos, teacher), acknowledging His role without sincere respect. They cite Deuteronomy 25:5-6, the law of levirate marriage (from Latin levir, brother-in-law). Raise up seed unto his brother (ἀναστήσει σπέρμα/anastēsei sperma) uses ἀνίστημι (anistēmi), 'to raise up,' ironically the same verb used for resurrection—unintended double meaning exposing their skepticism.
Levirate marriage served multiple purposes: preserving the deceased's name and inheritance, providing for childless widows, maintaining tribal land distribution within families, and demonstrating covenant solidarity. The practice assumed continuity between this age and the next, between earthly family and eternal identity. The Sadducees weaponize this compassionate law into a theological puzzle designed to make resurrection seem absurd.
Historical Context
The Sadducees were the priestly aristocracy controlling the temple, collaborating with Rome to maintain power. Unlike Pharisees, they rejected oral tradition, accepting only the written Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy), and denied resurrection, afterlife, angels, and spirits (Acts 23:8). Their theology was materialistic and political, focused on temple ritual and maintaining status quo. They viewed resurrection belief as Pharisaic innovation, dangerous enthusiasm threatening social stability. This hypothetical scenario mocks resurrection by creating apparent logical impossibility—one woman married to seven brothers simultaneously in the afterlife, suggesting resurrection produces absurd situations incompatible with created order.
Questions for Reflection
How do skeptics today use Scripture itself to attack Christian doctrines they reject?
What does the Sadducees' selective acceptance of Scripture warn about treating the Bible as a theological weapon rather than God's authoritative word?
How does levirate marriage demonstrate God's concern for vulnerable people (widows) within covenant community?
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Analysis & Commentary
Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife (Διδάσκαλε, Μωϋσῆς εἶπεν/Didaskale, Mōusēs eipen). The Sadducees address Jesus as διδάσκαλος (didaskalos, teacher), acknowledging His role without sincere respect. They cite Deuteronomy 25:5-6, the law of levirate marriage (from Latin levir, brother-in-law). Raise up seed unto his brother (ἀναστήσει σπέρμα/anastēsei sperma) uses ἀνίστημι (anistēmi), 'to raise up,' ironically the same verb used for resurrection—unintended double meaning exposing their skepticism.
Levirate marriage served multiple purposes: preserving the deceased's name and inheritance, providing for childless widows, maintaining tribal land distribution within families, and demonstrating covenant solidarity. The practice assumed continuity between this age and the next, between earthly family and eternal identity. The Sadducees weaponize this compassionate law into a theological puzzle designed to make resurrection seem absurd.