King James Version
What Does Mark 12:20 Mean?
“Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.”
Mark 12:20 · KJV
Context
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.
22
And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryNow there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed (ἑπτὰ ἀδελφοὶ ἦσαν· καὶ ὁ πρῶτος ἔλαβεν γυναῖκα, καὶ ἀποθνῄσκων οὐκ ἀφῆκεν σπέρμα). The Sadducees begin their hypothetical with seven brothers—the number of completion in Hebrew thought, chosen to maximize the scenario's complexity. The first brother married but died childless (ouk aphēken sperma, οὐκ ἀφῆκεν σπέρμα, "left no seed")—the exact condition triggering levirate marriage obligation.
This test case resembles the story in Tobit 3:8; 7:11 (deuterocanonical book, c. 200 BC) where Sarah's seven husbands die before consummating marriage. The Sadducees' hypothetical may allude to this known story, though their version has each brother fulfill the levirate duty before dying. The scenario's improbability is deliberate—they're constructing a reductio ad absurdum argument: if resurrection were true, this situation would create impossible complications, therefore resurrection must be false.
This test case resembles the story in Tobit 3:8; 7:11 (deuterocanonical book, c. 200 BC) where Sarah's seven husbands die before consummating marriage. The Sadducees' hypothetical may allude to this known story, though their version has each brother fulfill the levirate duty before dying. The scenario's improbability is deliberate—they're constructing a reductio ad absurdum argument: if resurrection were true, this situation would create impossible complications, therefore resurrection must be false.
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Historical & Cultural Context
The number seven appears throughout Scripture as symbolic of completion or perfection (creation week, Genesis 2:2; seven days of feasts, Leviticus 23; seventy weeks in Daniel 9:24). While the Sadducees' scenario was hypothetical, ancient Near Eastern cultures practiced levirate marriage, and cases of multiple brothers dying childless, though rare, could occur. The book of Tobit (accepted as canonical by Catholics and Orthodox) contains a similar story where the demon Asmodeus kills Sarah's seven husbands. Whether the Sadducees alluded to Tobit (which they wouldn't accept as Scripture) or created an original hypothetical, their point was clear: resurrection creates marital chaos. Jesus will demonstrate they fundamentally misunderstood resurrection life.
Reflection Questions
- What does the Sadducees' use of an extreme hypothetical reveal about attempting to disprove biblical doctrines through logical puzzles?
- How might we similarly construct unlikely scenarios to avoid accepting difficult biblical teachings?
Original Language Analysis
Greek · 13 wordsκαὶ4 of 13
“and”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ9 of 13
“and”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σπέρμα·13 of 13
“seed”
G4690something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
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 12:20 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 12:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge