King James Version

What Does Mark 12:20 Mean?

Mark 12:20 in the King James Version says “Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now 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.

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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

  1. What does the Sadducees' use of an extreme hypothetical reveal about attempting to disprove biblical doctrines through logical puzzles?
  2. How might we similarly construct unlikely scenarios to avoid accepting difficult biblical teachings?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ἑπτὰ1 of 13

“seven”

G2033

seven

ἀδελφοὶ2 of 13

“brethren”

G80

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

ἦσαν·3 of 13

“Now there were”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

καὶ4 of 13

“and”

G2532

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

ὁ5 of 13
G3588

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

πρῶτος6 of 13

“the first”

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)

ἔλαβεν7 of 13

“took”

G2983

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

γυναῖκα8 of 13

“a wife”

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

καὶ9 of 13

“and”

G2532

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

ἀποθνῄσκων10 of 13

“dying”

G599

to die off (literally or figuratively)

οὐκ11 of 13

“no”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἀφῆκεν12 of 13

“left”

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

σπέρμα·13 of 13

“seed”

G4690

something 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

Luke 20:29-33Matthew 22:25-28

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