King James Version

What Does Mark 12:19 Mean?

Mark 12:19 in the King James Version says “Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brot... — study this verse from Mark chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Mark 12:19 · KJV


Context

17

And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

18

Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

19

Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

20

Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

21

And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother—this quotes the levirate marriage law from Deuteronomy 25:5-6. The Hebrew term yibbum (יִבּוּם) described this practice where a man's brother married his widow to produce offspring credited to the deceased. The Greek exanastēsē sperma (ἐξαναστήσῃ σπέρμα, "raise up seed") meant establishing the dead brother's lineage and inheritance.

This law protected widows in ancient patriarchal society, ensuring economic security and preserving family land within tribal allotments (see Ruth 4). The Sadducees correctly cited Torah to set up their test case. Their strategy was clever: use Scripture the Sadducees accepted (Pentateuch) to create scenario making resurrection seem absurd. This demonstrates how Scripture can be wielded correctly in detail yet wrongly in interpretation—a cautionary tale about proof-texting without understanding theological context.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Levirate marriage (from Latin levir, "brother-in-law") appears in Genesis 38 (Tamar and Judah's sons) and the book of Ruth (Boaz as kinsman-redeemer). The practice ensured deceased men's names continued through offspring, prevented property from leaving the family, and provided for vulnerable widows in societies lacking social welfare systems. By Jesus' time, levirate marriage was rare, replaced by other provisions for widows. The ceremony of halitzah (חֲלִיצָה, "removing the shoe," Deuteronomy 25:7-10) allowed a brother-in-law to decline the obligation. The Sadducees used this antiquated practice to construct their hypothetical precisely because its complications created apparent absurdity when applied to resurrection life.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Sadducees' accurate quotation of Scripture demonstrate that correctly citing biblical texts doesn't guarantee sound interpretation?
  2. What does the levirate marriage law reveal about God's concern for protecting vulnerable people (widows) in ancient society?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
Διδάσκαλε1 of 30

Master

G1320

an instructor (genitive case or specially)

Μωσῆς2 of 30

Moses

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver

ἔγραψεν3 of 30

wrote

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ἡμῖν4 of 30

unto us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

ὅτι5 of 30

If

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐάν6 of 30
G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

τινος7 of 30

a man's

G5100

some or any person or object

ἀδελφῷ8 of 30

brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ἀποθάνῃ9 of 30

die

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

καὶ10 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καταλίπῃ11 of 30

leave

G2641

to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining

γυναῖκα12 of 30

his wife

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

καὶ13 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τέκνα14 of 30

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

μὴ15 of 30

no

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀφῇ16 of 30

leave

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

ἵνα17 of 30

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

λάβῃ18 of 30

should take

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

19 of 30
G3588

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

ἀδελφῷ20 of 30

brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

αὐτοῦ21 of 30

his

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

τὴν22 of 30
G3588

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

γυναῖκα23 of 30

his wife

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

αὐτοῦ24 of 30

his

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

καὶ25 of 30

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξαναστήσῃ26 of 30

raise up

G1817

objectively, to produce, i.e., (figuratively) beget; subjectively, to arise, i.e., (figuratively) object

σπέρμα27 of 30

seed

G4690

something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)

τῷ28 of 30
G3588

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

ἀδελφῷ29 of 30

brother

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

αὐτοῦ30 of 30

his

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 12:19 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 Mark 12:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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