King James Version

What Does Mark 12:26 Mean?

Mark 12:26 in the King James Version says “And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, say... — study this verse from Mark chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

Mark 12:26 · KJV


Context

24

And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?

25

For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

26

And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

27

He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

28

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Answering Sadducees' question about resurrection, Jesus said: 'as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' (περὶ δὲ τῶν νεκρῶν ὅτι ἐγείρονται, οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ Μωϋσέως ἐπὶ τοῦ βάτου πῶς εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεός λέγων, Ἐγὼ ὁ θεὸς Ἀβραὰμ καὶ ὁ θεὸς Ἰσαὰκ καὶ ὁ θεὸς Ἰακώβ;). Jesus cited Exodus 3:6, using present tense ('I am,' not 'I was') to prove resurrection. God identifies Himself as God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries after their deaths. If they no longer existed, He'd say 'I was their God.' The present tense indicates they live—God is 'not the God of the dead, but of the living' (v. 27). This brilliant argument proves resurrection from Pentateuch, which Sadducees accepted (unlike Prophets/Writings which they questioned).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sadducees were aristocratic priestly party accepting only Pentateuch (first five books) as authoritative, rejecting Prophets and Writings. They denied resurrection, angels, and spirits (Acts 23:8), unlike Pharisees who affirmed these. Their test case about woman with seven husbands (vv. 18-23) aimed to show resurrection's absurdity. Jesus answered from Exodus, their accepted text. The burning bush incident (Exodus 3:1-6) occurred around 1446 BC, centuries after patriarchs died. Yet God said 'I am' (present tense) their God, indicating ongoing relationship. Jesus' logic: God wouldn't identify with dead people—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob must be alive, awaiting resurrection. Paul similarly argued for resurrection (1 Corinthians 15). Early Christians proclaimed resurrection as central doctrine distinguishing them from Greek philosophy (which taught immortal soul, not bodily resurrection).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' use of the present tense 'I am the God of Abraham' prove the reality of life after death and resurrection?
  2. What does God's ongoing relationship with deceased believers teach about personal continuity and identity beyond death?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
περὶ1 of 33

as touching

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

δὲ2 of 33

And

G1161

but, and, etc

τῶν3 of 33
G3588

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

νεκρῶν4 of 33

the dead

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

ὅτι5 of 33

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐγείρονται6 of 33

they rise

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

οὐκ7 of 33

not

G3756

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

ἀνέγνωτε8 of 33

have ye

G314

to know again, i.e., (by extension) to read

ἐν9 of 33

in

G1722

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

τῇ10 of 33
G3588

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

βίβλῳ11 of 33

the book

G976

a scroll

Μωσέως,12 of 33

of Moses

G3475

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

ἐπὶ13 of 33

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῆς14 of 33
G3588

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

βάτου15 of 33

the bush

G942

a brier shrub

ὡς16 of 33

how

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

εἶπεν17 of 33

spake

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ18 of 33

unto him

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

19 of 33
G3588

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

θεὸς20 of 33

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

λέγων,21 of 33

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἐγὼ22 of 33

I

G1473

i, me

23 of 33
G3588

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

θεὸς24 of 33

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Ἀβραὰμ25 of 33

of Abraham

G11

abraham, the hebrew patriarch

καὶ26 of 33

and

G2532

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

27 of 33
G3588

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

θεὸς28 of 33

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Ἰσαὰκ29 of 33

of Isaac

G2464

isaac (i.e., jitschak), the son of abraham

καὶ30 of 33

and

G2532

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

31 of 33
G3588

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

θεὸς32 of 33

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Ἰακώβ33 of 33

of Jacob

G2384

jacob (i.e., ja`akob), the progenitor of the israelites


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 12:26 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 12:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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