Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, saying: “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. (Luke 20:27-28; Matthew 22:23-24; Mark 12:18-19)
As a review, Pharisees were members of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of the Mosaic law in both its oral and written form. Scribes were members of a learned class in ancient Israel through New Testament times who studied the Scriptures and served as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists. The lawyers, who often accompanied the Pharisees were the interpreters of the Mosaic law. But the Sadducees were a totally different group. They were member of a priestly, aristocratic Jewish sect founded in the second century B.C. who did not believe in heaven and resurrection. They only used the five books at the beginning of the Old Testament. They believed that people would not live again after death. (They were "Sadd - U - Cee"!)
So these Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Jesus asking a resurrection question. Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.” (Luke 20:29-33; Matthew 22:25-28; Mark 12:20-23)
They are referring to the scripture, where ...Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness,... (Deuteronomy 1:1) “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the widow of the dead man shall not be married to a stranger outside the family; her husband’s brother shall go in to her, take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. And it shall be that the firstborn son which she bears will succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel. (Deuteronomy 25:5-6)
Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (Luke 20:32-36; Matthew 22:29-30; Mark 12:24-25)
There is no marriage to each other on the other side of eternity, because ...Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27) ...“Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelations 19:6-8) The only marriage that takes place is that we who are Christians, the body of Christ's church are united with Christ for eternity.
Another interesting note is Jesus used the phrase attain that age. There are three "ages": 1st - the time up to Noah was the first earth age, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. (II Peter 3:6); 2nd - the time since Noah to now, But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (II Peter 3:7); 3rd - after the final judgment, ...Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. ... Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (II Peter 3:10-13)
Final observation, we who are saved are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Matthew and Mark recorded Jesus as saying, we will be like angels of God in heaven. No, we will not become angels!!! Angels are messengers of God and ...all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14); But God has revealed to mankind and especially to us who are saved, ...the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. (I Peter 1:12)
Then God said [to Lord God, Genesis 2:4-7], “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; (Genesis 1:26) For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” (Hebrews 1:5-7)
God made man in His and His Son's image, and if God, ... has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, ... having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:1-4) Then we also ...if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ,... (Romans 8:17) and therefore, we also are so much better than the angels.
But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ [Exodus 3:6] For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” (Luke 20:37-38; Matthew 22:31-32; Mark 12:26-27) You are therefore greatly mistaken.” (Mark 12:27) Remember, the Sadducees deny that there is a resurrection, but they used the five books at the beginning of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
Jesus is showing them how they, just like the Pharisees are Hypocrites! For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way,... that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:3-6, 9)
Either we believe the Word of God or we don't, but the Word of God is clear and it doesn't contradict! Jesus' correction of the Sadducees was so accurate that even the scribes, the translators of the scripture, who were usually with the Pharisees when they tested Jesus had to confirm His words. Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” But after that they dared not question Him anymore. (Luke 20:27-40) And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. (Matthew 22:33)
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