Devine Scripture

Luke 20:38

What does Luke 20:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 20:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 20:38 means

Jesus concluded His argument by declaring, "Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." This profound statement reveals that God's covenant relationship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob implies their continued existence. If God is still *their* God, they must still be alive in some form, because God is a God of the living, not the dead. This directly counters the Sadducees' belief that death ends all existence. It powerfully affirms the resurrection, not just as a future event, but as an ongoing reality for those who are in covenant with God, emphasizing His eternal faithfulness and power over death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now he is not the God of the dead but of the living: for all men are living to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and He is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but he is notGod of [the] dead but of [the] living; for all live for him.

Context

This verse provides the powerful and conclusive theological punchline to Jesus' argument for the resurrection, building directly on His reference to Moses' account of God's interaction with the patriarchs. This statement fundamentally refutes the Sadducees' denial of the resurrection by establishing God as the God of the living. This decisive answer immediately leads to the scribes' admiration and the Sadducees' subsequent silence, ending this confrontation.

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.

v.38This passage

v.39And certain of the scribes answering said, Teacher, thou hast well said.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:16

    And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

  • Hebrews 11:16

    But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

  • Romans 14:7

    For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself.

  • Psalms 22:23

    Ye that fear Jehovah, praise him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And stand in awe of him, all ye the seed of Israel.

  • Colossians 3:3

    For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

  • Romans 6:22

    But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life.

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