King James Version

What Does Luke 20:33 Mean?

Luke 20:33 in the King James Version says “Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.”

Luke 20:33 · KJV

Context

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:

Read Luke 20 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? (ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει τίνος αὐτῶν γίνεται γυνή, en tē anastasei tinos autōn ginetai gynē)—The Sadducees' rhetorical trap springs. They assume resurrection means resuming earthly relationships exactly as they were. For seven had her to wife (οἱ γὰρ ἑπτὰ ἔσχον αὐτὴν γυναῖκα, hoi gar hepta eschon autēn gynaika)—all seven were legitimately married to her according to Moses.

Their unstated conclusion: resurrection creates legal and moral impossibilities, contradicting Torah, therefore resurrection is false. But they've committed a category error—assuming resurrection merely extends mortality rather than transforming it. Jesus will answer not by resolving their legal puzzle within their framework but by exploding the framework itself.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This type of reductio ad absurdum argument was common in Greco-Roman philosophical debate and rabbinic disputation. The Sadducees were demonstrating their intellectual prowess while attacking Pharisaic belief in resurrection. They assumed material existence was ultimate reality; transformation into a fundamentally different mode of being was inconceivable to their worldview.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we project earthly categories (marriage, ownership, identity) onto eternal realities inappropriately?
  2. When have your questions about doctrine revealed not genuine inquiry but attempts to discredit?
  3. What does the Sadducees' question reveal about their understanding of God's power and purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
ἐν1 of 14

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ2 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὖν3 of 14

“Therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἀναστάσει4 of 14

“the resurrection”

G386

a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor

τίνος5 of 14

“whose”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

αὐτὴν6 of 14

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

γίνεται7 of 14

“is she”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

γυναῖκα8 of 14

“to wife”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

οἱ9 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γὰρ10 of 14

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἑπτὰ11 of 14

“seven”

G2033

seven

ἔσχον12 of 14

“had”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

αὐτὴν13 of 14

“her”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

γυναῖκα14 of 14

“to wife”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 20:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 20:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 22:24-28Mark 12:19-23

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