Mark 12:27
What does Mark 12:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 12:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 12:27 means
Jesus concludes His argument against the Sadducees by declaring, \"He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.\" Because God identified Himself in the present tense as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries after their deaths, it signifies that these patriarchs, and indeed all who belong to God, are eternally alive in spirit, awaiting bodily resurrection. This powerful statement refutes the Sadducees' error, confirming the reality of an afterlife and a bodily resurrection by appealing to God's eternal relationship with His covenant people. Their error was profound because they misunderstood the very nature of God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He is not the God of the dead, but of the living: ye do greatly err.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He is not the God of the dead, but of the living: ye do greatly err.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He is not the God of the dead, but of the living: you are greatly in error.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he is not the God of dead men, but a God of living men; ye then go greatly astray.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You therefore do greatly err.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He is not theGod of [the] dead, but of [the] living. Ye therefore greatly err.
Context
This verse delivers Jesus’s conclusive refutation of the Sadducees’ position, immediately following His citation of God’s words to Moses about the patriarchs. This powerful declaration solidifies the theological argument for resurrection based on God's nature as the God of the living. It signals the end of this particular challenge, leaving the Sadducees in error, and establishes Jesus's authority in interpreting Scripture and divine truth.
v.26But 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?
v.27This passage
v.28And one of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, What commandment is the first of all?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 14:9
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
- Romans 4:17
(as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.
- Hebrews 3:10
Wherefore I was displeased with this generation, And said, They do always err in their heart: But they did not know my ways;
- Mark 12:24
Jesus said unto them, Is it not for this cause that ye err, that ye know not the scriptures, nor the power of God?
- Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
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