Sadducees Challenge Resurrection; Jesus Teaches Eternal Life
Mark 12:18-27
Mark.12.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ερχονται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- Σαδδουκαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αναστασιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μη: PART
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- επηρωτων: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- λεγοντες·: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 22:23 (quotation): Direct parallel account: Matthew records the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) approaching Jesus with the same question, presenting the same scenario to test him.
- Luke 20:27 (quotation): Direct parallel: Luke gives the same narrative of the Sadducees (denying the resurrection) coming to Jesus and posing the contentious question about marriage at the resurrection.
- Acts 23:8 (thematic): Thematic parallel: In Acts Luke notes the doctrinal divide that the Sadducees deny resurrection, which explains their challenge to Jesus in Mark 12:18.
- 1 Corinthians 15:12 (thematic): Thematic parallel: Paul addresses disputes over the resurrection ('some say there is no resurrection of the dead'), reflecting the same controversy about resurrection that the Sadducees represent in Mark.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then some Sadducees—those who say there is no resurrection—came to him; and they said to him,
- Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and questioned him.
Mark.12.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Διδασκαλε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- Μωυσης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εγραψεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- οτι: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αποθανη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- καταλιπη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- αφη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- τεκνον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ινα: CONJ
- λαβη: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εξαναστηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- σπερμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αδελφω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (quotation): Direct legal source for the levirate marriage requirement — a brother is to marry the widow to raise offspring for his deceased brother.
- Matthew 22:24 (verbal): Synoptic parallel: the Sadducees pose the same levirate hypothetical to Jesus, using nearly the same wording and intent as in Mark.
- Luke 20:28 (verbal): Another synoptic parallel recounting the Sadducees' question about levirate marriage and resurrection, closely paralleling Mark's account.
- Genesis 38:8-10 (allusion): Narrative precedent: Onan's refusal to raise offspring for his brother (and his ensuing death) illustrates the social/legal expectation behind the levirate duty.
- Ruth 4:4-10 (thematic): Kinsman-redeemer and marital redemption: a later Israelite example where a relative marries to preserve a deceased man's name and property, reflecting the levirate principle.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no child, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring for his brother.
- They said to him, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but has no child, his brother shall take the wife and raise up offspring for his brother."
Mark.12.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ησαν·και: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πρωτος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ελαβεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αποθνησκων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αφηκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- σπερμα·: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 22:23-28 (verbal): The same Sadducean hypothetical about seven brothers; Matthew records the identical sequence (first brother marries the woman and dies without offspring), forming a close verbal parallel to Mark's account.
- Luke 20:29-33 (verbal): Luke preserves the same story of the seven brothers and the first husband's death without children; another direct gospel parallel to Mark's narrative.
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (allusion): The law of levirate marriage underlies the Sadducees' scenario (a brother is to marry his deceased brother's wife if he dies childless), which explains the legal context of the hypothetical.
- Genesis 38:6-10 (thematic): The story of Judah, Er, Onan, and Tamar deals with a brother-in-law's duty and the problem of a deceased man leaving no offspring, providing a narrative precedent related to levirate concerns raised in Mark's example.
Alternative generated candidates
- There were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died, and left no offspring.
- There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
Mark.12.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δευτερος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ελαβεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- απεθανεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- μη: PART
- καταλιπων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- σπερμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τριτος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ωσαυτως·: ADV
Parallels
- Mark 12:5 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same pericope: earlier verse summarizes the repeated sending of servants and their mistreatment—sets up the sequence continued in v.21.
- Matthew 21:35 (verbal): Synoptic parallel of the parable of the wicked tenants; Matthew likewise reports successive servants being seized and killed, corresponding to Mark’s sequence.
- Luke 20:11-12 (verbal): Luke’s version of the parable similarly depicts multiple servants sent and ill-treated (beaten or sent away empty), paralleling Mark’s account of successive messengers.
- Isaiah 5:1-7 (thematic): The prophetic 'song of the vineyard' provides the Old Testament background: God as vineyard owner who sends servants (prophets) and judges the unfruitful vine—thematically parallels the parable’s framework.
- Psalm 118:22-23 (quotation): Though not parallel to this single verse, Psalm 118 is quoted later in the parable (the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone) and connects to the son’s fate and the tenants’ rejection within the same narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- The second took her and died, and the third likewise; and all seven left no offspring.
- The second took her and died, and the third likewise; and in like manner all seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died.
Mark.12.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αφηκαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- σπερμα·εσχατον: NOUN,acc,sg,n+ADJ,acc,sg,n
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γυνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- απεθανεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 22:24-25 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel: Matthew recounts the same story of seven brothers and explicitly states that the last of them also died, mirroring Mark's wording and sequence.
- Luke 20:33-36 (verbal): Luke's parallel account presents the same seven-brothers scenario and the woman's death, and develops the question about marriage at the resurrection that Jesus answers.
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (thematic): Background legal principle (levirate marriage): the assumed obligation for a brother to raise up offspring for a deceased brother provides the cultural-legal backdrop for the Sadducees' hypothetical.
- Mark 12:23 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation within Mark: the question 'At the resurrection whose wife will she be?' directly follows v.22 and frames Jesus' response, linking the verse to its immediate context.
Alternative generated candidates
- Last of all the woman herself also died.
- In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife of them will she be? for the seven had her as wife.
Mark.12.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αναστασει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- οταν: CONJ
- αναστωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- γυνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- επτα: NUM,acc,pl,neut
- εσχον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 22:28-30 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: the Sadducees present the same seven-husbands scenario and ask whose wife she will be at the resurrection; Matthew records the same exchange and Jesus’ answer.
- Luke 20:33-36 (verbal): Parallel account in Luke recounting the same hypothetical about a woman married to seven brothers and includes Jesus’ teaching that those who rise are like angels, addressing the Sadducees’ concern.
- Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (thematic): Levirate-marriage law (brother marrying widow to raise offspring) provides the cultural and legal background for the Sadducees’ hypothetical of a woman successively married to brothers.
- 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (thematic): Paul’s discussion of the resurrection body (perishable vs. imperishable, natural vs. spiritual body) addresses the same underlying issue — how earthly relationships and marital status relate to the nature of the resurrected life.
Alternative generated candidates
- So in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife of them will she be? For the seven had her as wife.
- Jesus said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?"
Mark.12.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εφη: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους·Ου: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- πλανασθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- μη: PART
- ειδοτες: PTCP,perf,act,nom,pl,m
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- γραφας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- μηδε: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δυναμιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 22:29 (quotation): Direct parallel wording: Jesus rebukes them for error, saying they do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God — essentially the same saying in Matthew's account.
- Luke 20:37-38 (thematic): In the parallel Sadducees episode Jesus appeals to Moses' language at the burning bush ('I am the God of Abraham...') to argue for resurrection, supporting Mark's point connecting Scripture and God's power.
- Acts 2:29-32 (thematic): Peter uses Scripture (David's psalm) and God's power to demonstrate Jesus' resurrection — echoing Mark's linking of Scripture and divine power as proof of resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (thematic): Paul grounds Christ's death and resurrection 'according to the Scriptures,' complementing Mark's emphasis that the Scriptures (and God's power) testify to resurrection.
- Romans 1:16 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'power of God' (dunamis tou Theou) to describe the gospel's efficacy — a verbal echo of Mark's reference to the 'power of God' in the context of resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jesus said to them, "Are you not therefore mistaken, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?
- For when they rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven.
Mark.12.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οταν: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αναστωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- ουτε: CONJ
- γαμουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ουτε: CONJ
- γαμιζονται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- αλλ᾽εισιν: CONJ+VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ως: ADV
- αγγελοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ουρανοις·: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 22:30 (quotation): Direct synoptic parallel: Jesus says that in the resurrection people 'neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven,' matching Mark's wording and teaching.
- Luke 20:34-36 (verbal): Close verbal and thematic parallel—Luke records Jesus teaching that resurrected people 'neither marry nor are given in marriage' and are 'equal to angels,' adding that they 'cannot die anymore' as 'sons of the resurrection.'
- 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 (thematic): Paul's teaching on the resurrection body—'flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom... we shall be changed'—connects thematically with Mark's claim that the risen are like angels (a transformed, immortal state).
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (thematic): Paul's description of the future resurrection and the Lord's coming ('the dead in Christ will rise') parallels Mark's focus on the post-resurrection condition and communal hope of transformed life.
Alternative generated candidates
- For when they rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven.
- As for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, at the place about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?
Mark.12.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- περι: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εγειρονται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ανεγνωτε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- βιβλω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- Μωυσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- βατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πως: ADV
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγων·Εγω: PARTCP,pres,act,nom,sg,m+PRON,nom,sg,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ισαακ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιακωβ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Exodus 3:6 (quotation): Direct source of Jesus' citation — God's words to Moses at the burning bush: 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'
- Matthew 22:31-32 (verbal): Parallel Synoptic version of the same argument in Jesus' debate, using the Exodus citation to argue that God is God of the living.
- Luke 20:37-38 (structural): Luke's parallel account of the pericope; repeats the Exodus saying and explicitly draws the conclusion that God is 'not God of the dead but of the living.'
- Acts 7:32 (quotation): Stephen's speech echoes the burning-bush wording to identify God's revelation to Moses and to Israel's ancestors.
- Romans 4:17 (thematic): Paul invokes God's power over life and death in reference to Abraham — 'who gives life to the dead and calls into being the things that were not' — supporting the theological point about God as sustainer of the living.
Alternative generated candidates
- And concerning the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, at the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?
- He is not God of the dead but of the living.
Mark.12.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- ζωντων·πολυ: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,m
- πλανασθε: VERB,pres,mp,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 22:32 (verbal): Direct parallel of Jesus' saying; repeats the phrase that God is 'not God of the dead but of the living' in response to the Sadducees.
- Luke 20:38 (verbal): Parallel account of the same argument, explicitly drawing the conclusion that the patriarchs are living because God is the God of the living.
- Exodus 3:6 (quotation): Source OT text ('I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob') cited by Jesus to support the claim; used to infer life beyond death.
- Romans 4:17 (thematic): Paul describes God as 'the God who gives life to the dead' and who calls into being what does not exist—a theological parallel emphasizing God’s power over life and death.
- Hebrews 11:17-19 (thematic): The account of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac is read as trust that God 'was able to raise him from the dead,' echoing the theme of God as life-giver and vindicating hope in resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- He is not God of the dead but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.
- You are greatly mistaken.
Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to him; and they asked him a question,
saying, 'Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, and leaves no child, the brother should take the wife and raise up offspring for his brother.'
There were seven brothers; the first took a wife and died, leaving no offspring. And the second took her and died, and the third likewise; and the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman herself also died.
In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.
Jesus said to them, 'Are you not therefore mistaken, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?'
'For when they rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels in heaven.'
'And as for the dead being raised—have you not read in the book of Moses, at the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?'
'He is not the God of the dead but of the living.'
'You are greatly mistaken.'