Luke 20:36
What does Luke 20:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:36 means
Jesus further explained the nature of resurrected beings, stating they "neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." The absence of death in the resurrected state eliminates the need for procreation, which is a primary reason for marriage in this world. Being "equal unto the angels" suggests a state of immortality and spiritual existence that transcends physical limitations. Moreover, being "sons of God" by virtue of being "sons of the resurrection" emphasizes a renewed and glorified relationship with the Father, cementing their eternal status. This profound theological truth dismantles the Sadducees' entire premise.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And death has no more power over them, for they are equal to the angels, and are sons of God, being of those who will come back from the dead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for neither are they able to die any more--for they are like messengers--and they are sons of God, being sons of the rising again.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Neither can they die any more for they are equal to the angels and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for neither can they die any more, for they are equal to angels, and are sons ofGod, being sons of the resurrection.
Context
This verse provides the theological reason for the absence of marriage in the resurrection, building directly on the previous verse. Jesus explains this by noting the immortality and angelic nature of resurrected beings. This expanded explanation solidifies His argument against the Sadducees' premise and prepares for His next point, where He will demonstrate the scriptural basis for the resurrection from Moses, affirming its truth from a source they respected.
v.35but they that are accounted worthy to attain to that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
v.36This passage
v.37But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the Bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 22:2
in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
- 1 Corinthians 15:49
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
- 1 Corinthians 15:26
The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.
- Zechariah 3:7
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by.
- Revelation 7:9
After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and ofalltribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands;
- Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
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