What does Luke 20:30 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 20:30, "And the second took her to wife, and he died childless," describes an event that is part of a hypothetical scenario Jesus presents to the Sadducees.

The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, posed a question to Jesus involving a woman who married seven brothers in succession, each of whom died childless.

This verse specifically focuses on the second brother who marries the widow and, like the first, dies without leaving any offspring.

The literal meaning can be immediately understood: the second brother's marriage to the widow did not produce children before his death.

The deeper significance of the verse relates to the debate about resurrection and the afterlife, as it pertains to the leverite marriage law (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) where a man was required to marry his brother's widow to produce offspring in the deceased brother's name.

Jesus uses this example as a means to later reveal the flaws in the Sadducees' understanding of the resurrection.

Historical Context

The verse emerges in the context of Second Temple Judaism, under Roman occupation in the first century.

The Jewish sect known as the Sadducees, who were typically of the priestly and aristocratic class, did not believe in an afterlife or resurrection.

Their theology was closely tied to the written law (Torah), and they did not accept the oral law or other texts, unlike the Pharisees.

Jesus is often found in the Gospels engaging with different Jewish groups, including the Sadducees, about theological issues. Leverite marriage, or yibbum in Hebrew, was a practice rooted in the Mosaic law aimed at preserving the lineage of a man who died without a son.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints might interpret this verse and its broader passage differently.

From a Christian perspective, Jesus is emphasizing that earthly relationships and regulations do not apply in the same way in the afterlife. This emphasizes the discontinuity between this life and the next, a cornerstone of Christian eschatology.

Jewish perspectives might diverge, sticking closely to the literal interpretation of the law and the importance of fulfilling commandments, but they would not use this scenario to assert a belief in the resurrection since that belief was not universally held during the period the verse was written.

Practical Applications

In modern life, the teachings of this verse can serve as a reminder that the relationships and priorities of earthly life will not necessarily translate directly into eternal life.

It can encourage individuals to focus on spiritual preparedness and understanding of theological concepts, such as resurrection and afterlife, rather than getting overly attached to worldly structures.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 25:5-6: Discusses the laws of leverite marriage, which is the background for the Sadducees' question to Jesus.
• Matthew 22:23-32 and Mark 12:18-27: Parallel accounts of the same encounter between Jesus and the Sadducees concerning the resurrection.
• 1 Corinthians 15:42-44: Paul's explanation of the resurrection body shows a significant contrast with the earthly body, mirroring the difference highlighted by Jesus.

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words and phrases in Luke 20:30 include "took to wife" (ἔλαβεν γυναῖκα), which indicates marriage, and "died childless" (ἀπέθανεν ἄτεκνος), which concisely states that he died without offspring (ἄτεκνος combining "a," no, and "teknon," child).

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of a leverite marriage is somewhat unique to Israelite law.

Other traditions may have had variations of marriage customs focusing on lineage and inheritance, but the specificity of the brother's obligation to the widow is particularly Jewish in this historical context.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern genetics and the understanding of inheritance patterns show that offspring would not carry the genetic material of the deceased brother in a leverite marriage situation.

This scientific understanding offers a different lens through which to consider the implications of this law and Jesus' subsequent teaching about life beyond death.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 20:30 vary in their focus.

Some highlight the practical function of leverite marriage in ancient Israelite society and law, others explore the contrast Jesus draws between this world and the next, while still others delve into the debate about resurrection and afterlife in first-century Judaism.

A common theme among experts is the use of this scenario by Jesus to demonstrate a larger theological point rather than to give a judgment on the leverite practice itself.