The Question of the Resurrection Life (Mark 12:18-27 *, Matthew 22:23-33 *). The first peculiarity in Lk.'s account is Luke 20:34-35 a, the contrast between people in this world and those deemed worthy to attain the other world and the resurrection (which, as in Luke 14:14, seems limited to the righteous). In Luke 20:36 there is a further addition; in the other world men and women do not die, hence they need not (and so do not) marry. They are sons of the resurrection, i.e. have the characteristics of the risen and endless life. With Luke 20:37 f., especially all live unto Him, cf. 4Ma_7:18 f.as many as make righteousness their first thought are able to master the weakness of the flesh, believing that unto God they die not, as our patriarchs, A. and I. and J. died not, but that they live unto God. Similarly 4Ma_16:25, of the seven brother martyrs, who knew that men dying for God live unto God, as Uve A. and I. and J., and all the Patriarchs. The meaning seems to be that the pious dead, even before the Judgment, when the world regards them as dead, live with God in true bliss. Luke 20:39 is in Lk. only. With Luke 20:40 cf. Mark 12:34; Matthew 22:46, also Luke 14:6. Lk. has already (Luke 10:25-28) dealt with the question of the greatest commandment which Mk. and Mt. insert here.
Luke 20:27-40
27 Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
28 Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
29 There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
30 And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
32 Last of all the woman died also.
33 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
34 And Jesus answering said unto them,The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
37 Now 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.
38 For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
39 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
40 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.