Luke 20:37
What does Luke 20:37 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 20:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 20:37 means
Jesus then turned to the Sadducees' own revered scriptures, the books of Moses, to prove the doctrine of the resurrection. He pointed to the passage concerning the burning Bush (Exodus 3:6), where God declared Himself as "the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Jesus emphasizes that Moses himself, a figure they esteemed, recorded this. This demonstrated that even in their own accepted texts, there was clear evidence for continued existence beyond death, as God is eternally connected to these patriarchs long after their physical deaths, implying their ongoing life with Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But even Moses made it clear that the dead come back to life, saying, in the story of the burning thorn-tree, The Lord, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the Bush, since he doth call the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now that the dead rise again, Moses also shewed at the bush, when he called the Lord: The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But that the dead rise, even Moses shewed in [the section of] the bush, when he called [the] Lord theGod of Abraham and theGod of Isaac and theGod of Jacob;
Context
This verse marks a strategic shift in Jesus' argument. Having clarified the *nature* of resurrected life, Jesus now provides scriptural proof for the *fact* of resurrection, drawing from the books of Moses, which the Sadducees respected as authoritative. This direct appeal to Moses immediately precedes Jesus' conclusive statement about God being the God of the living, effectively refuting the Sadducees' entire denial of the resurrection.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 32:9
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, O Jehovah, who saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will do thee good:
- Genesis 17:7
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
- Mark 12:26
But as touching the dead, that they are raised; have ye not read in the book of Moses, in the place concerning the Bush, how God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
- Matthew 22:3
and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast: and they would not come.
- Deuteronomy 33:16
And for the precious things of the earth and the fulness thereof, And the good will of him that dwelt in the bush. Let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, And upon the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
- Genesis 28:13
And, behold, Jehovah stood above it, and said, I am Jehovah, the God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 20
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 20.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Children
God’s Word provides profound insights into the rearing, value, and blessing of children, as well as the responsibilities of both parents and children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Communion
Communion, often called the Lord's Supper, is a sacred practice remembering Jesus' sacrifice and looking forward to His return.
Topic
Bible Verses About Compassion
The Bible reveals God’s deep compassion for humanity and calls believers to extend similar mercy and understanding to others, reflecting His love.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Anxiety Before a Job Interview
Quiet your nerves and walk in with steady steps — six verses to pray on the way.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Prayer Feels Empty
When the words won't come — scripture for the dry prayer life.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Forgotten by God
When the prayers feel one-sided — verses for the quiet seasons.