COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 129
“ Mark 12:18 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. 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 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.”(Mark 12:18-25; Matthew 22:23-30; Luke 20:27-36)
A QUESTION DRIVEN BY IGNORANCE
INTRODUCTION
The time is drawing very near when Jesus will observe the Passover with His disciples, and Himself become the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). As He approaches the hour, just as when He was twelve years of age, He is in the Temple going about His Father’s business (Lk 2:49). This time, however, He is not hearing the doctors and asking questions as He did when He was but twelve years old – when He was increasing “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Lk 2:52). Now, He is the matured Son of God in whom “all fulness” dwelt, possessing the Spirit without measure (John 3:34). Now He is the Master Teacher, and the students are asking Him the questions. Even now, however, He has not made Himself available to the masses for fielding a variety of questions – as John the Baptist did in the wilderness, when He received questions from the people, the publicans, and the soldiers (Lk 3:10-14). In Christ’s conduct we are given an example of what it means to set our affection on things above (Col 3:1-2), do all things unto the Lord (Col 3:17), and “be obedient in all things” (2 Cor 2:9). Although He finally isolates Himself from all of the people, He first spends time in the Temple, among the chosen people, teaching them more perfectly in the ways of the Lord. He maintains an intense interest in the place set aside for the Lord – His “Father’s house” (John 2:16), making Himself available to the people in that environment.
A CONVOLUTED QUESTION
“ Mark 12:18 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. 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.”
THEN COME THE SADDUCEES. Matthew says this incident occurred on “the same day” as the question concerning paying taxes (Matt 22:23). The Sadducees are mentioned nine times in the Gospels (Matt 3:7; 16:1,6,11,12; 22:23,34; Mk 12:18; Lk 20:27), and five times in Acts (4:1; 5:17; 23:6,7,8). Nothing good is ever said about them. John the Baptist referred to them as a “generation of vipers” (Matt 3:7). They “tempted” Jesus with crafty questions (Matt 16:1). Jesus told His disciples to beware of their teaching (Matt 16:11-12). They opposed the twelve apostles (Acts 4:1; 5:17), and Paul as well (Acts 23:6-8).
There is such a thing as a group that is fundamentally corrupt, and within which it is most difficult to take hold of the truth. The Sadducees are an example of such a group, as well as the Pharisees, Scribes, and Lawyers of Jesus’ day. These were religion bodies of people who had embraced erroneous views – views that distinguished them as a group. In order for anyone within these groups to take hold of the truth, they had to actually overcome the group of which they were a part. These were generally respected groups, held in high regard by the religious community. Paul is an example of one who triumphed over such a group.
WHICH SAY THERE IS NO RESURRECTION. The Scriptures point out that the Sadducees said “there is no resurrection” – that is, their teaching, or doctrine, was built upon this premise. This is mentioned no less than four times (Matt 22:23; Mk 12:18; Lk 20:27; Acts 23:8). Therefore, it is possible for a conservative religious community to have members who actually deny the basics of the religion they profess to have embraced. In modern Christendom, this would involve leaders who deny the truth of justification by faith, the judgment of all men, conscious life after death, and the public and glorious coming of Jesus, etc.
THE PROPENSITIES OF AN ACADEMIC RELIGION. There are certain inclinations that are awakened by an academic approach to religion. By academic, I mean an approach to truth that is based upon the formal study of what men have said about truth – as opposed to being based upon faith. Such an approach tends to be theoretical or speculative, and assigns too much weight to human reasoning and logic. Human traditions and rules are adopted that diminish the importance of the truth itself. In fact, such things take the place of the truth, and are treated as though they are equal with Scripture. For the Sadducees, an example of such teaching is that “there is no resurrection.” In our day examples are “the thousand year reign of Christ,” “soul sleeping,” “God loves everyone the same,” etc. – all of which are anchored in human understanding, not Divine affirmation.
A TECHNICAL QUESTION. The question posed by the Sadducees was a highly complicated one. No doubt they considered it to be well thought out. The question itself was based upon the law of Moses (Deut 25:5-10). The purpose of the Moses’ command was to maintain a godly lineage among the Israelites, which nation would bring forth the Messiah. The Law described fleshly brothers dwelling in the same place, with one of them dying and leaving no children behind. The brother of the dead husband was to “perform the duty of an husband’s brother,” so that a son would “succeed in the name of the brother” who had died. In that way the name of the dead brother would not be “put out of Israel,” or no longer exist. If the brother refused to do this, the elders of his city called him and the wife before them, confirming that he did not care to take his brother’s wife as his own. The woman then removed one of his shoes, spit in his face, and said “So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his father’s house.” The name of that man would then be called, “The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.” An example of a man who refused to do this is Onan, brother to a man whom God killed because he was wicked. When Judah told him to marry his brother’s wife and raise up seed to him, Onan refused, and the Lord killed him also (Gen 38:7-10). The Law also allowed for a near kinsman to take the place of a brother, if the dead man had no brethren (Num 27:11). A case involving this is found in Ruth, who was taken as the wife of Boaz, a “near kinsman” (Ruth 2:1; 3:9-13; 4:1-14).
Now, from those rules, the Sadducees concocted a scenario in which seven consecutive brothers took a woman to wife, seeking to raise up seed for the one before them who had died. Although they did not believe there was a resurrection, and thinking to stump Jesus, they asked whose wife the woman would be in the resurrection, having been married to seven different men – none of which produced a son, supposedly further complicating the situation.
THE REASON FOR THEIR ERROR
“ 23 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?”
JESUS ANSWERED. Jesus will not ignore public questions – assaults on the truth that are expressed among the people. This is because erroneous views – particularly when they are expressed publicly – have a defiling effect. Paul spoke of a particular false teaching that affirmed “the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some” (2 Tim 2:18). Jesus warned His disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” He was speaking “of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” – what they taught (Mk 16:11-12). Their teaching tended to permeate and defile the thinking of the people, corrupting their thoughts like leprosy finally contaminates the whole body. Therefore, Jesus will not dismiss their doctrine as though it would fall to the ground by itself. In a sterling example for all who would lead the people of God, he will cast down this imagination, and pull down this stronghold, lest it continue to corrupt the people (2 Cor 10:4-5). The Sadducees have asked a foolish question publicly. Therefore, in the interest of the glory of God and the people, Jesus will expose them openly. They were driven by ignoble motives, and were thus richly deserving of this sound rebuke and unvarnished exposure.
DO NOT YE THEREFORE ERR? Other versions have Jesus saying they were “mistaken,” NKJV “in error,” NIV “ wrong,” NRSV “go astray,” CSB “deceived,” GWN“misled,” NAB and “wander out of the way and go wrong.” AMPLIFIED Their question was driven by a flawed theology, which was the result of their deception. They had not received the love of the truth, and were therefore deceived by strong delusion. To “err” is to veer off the path, and commence going in the wrong direction. When such a distraction takes place, there is no possible way to arrive at a right conclusion. The “broad” way – which is the totally wrong way, even though it pretends to offer more alternatives – always leads to “destruction” (Matt 7:13). Truth cannot be obtained by flawed means, for a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. It is not possible for people to be saved or illuminated by means of false doctrine. A doctrine, or teaching, that is pointed in the wrong direction cannot produce truly godly people.
YE KNOW NOT THE SCRIPTURES. Other versions read, “you do not understand the Scriptures,” NASB and “have no knowledge of the holy writings.” BBE These men did have an academic knowledge of the Scriptures, else they could not have framed their question. In fact their familiarity with the Scriptures was far in advance of the average American churchman. Yet, they did not comprehend the Scriptures. Their theology had placed a mental template over the Scriptures so they could only see what they wanted to see. That is the result of deception – it distorts the way the Scriptures are read and understood. For example, ancient Job spoke of the resurrection of the dead (Job 14:12-15; 19:25-27). David spoke of it also (Psa 16:9-10; 17:15; 49:15). Isaiah prophesied of the resurrection (Isa 25:8; 26:19). Ezekiel depicted the resurrection in the valley of dry bones (Ezek 37:1-14) – a spiritual teaching that would have made no sense at all if there was no resurrection. Daniel also spoke of the resurrection of the dead (Dan 12:1-2; 12:13), as well as did Hosea (Hos 13:14). The Scriptures in the hands of the Sadducees provided the record of three people being raised from the dead. (1) The son of the widow of Zarephath – 1 Kgs 17:17-23, (2) The son of the Shunammite woman – 2 Kgs 4:32-37, and (3) the body of a young man that was thrown into the grave of Elisha – 2 Kgs 13:21. At this time, Jesus had already raised the dead son of a widow from Nain(), Lk 7:12-15), Jairus’ daughter (Lk 8:49-55), and Lazarus (John 11:43-44). Also, Jesus had previously taught about the resurrection of the dead (Lk 14:14; John 5:19; John 11:24-25). Yet, these men formed their doctrine just as though these texts were not in the Scripture at all. As if that was not enough, they stubbornly clung to their doctrine even though it contradicted Scripture, had been disproved by at least three resurrections within the last two years, and was exposed as false through the public teaching of Jesus.
The minds of these men had been blinded – that is why they had no effective knowledge of the Scriptures. What seemed clear beyond all controversy to those with faith, was totally obscured to the Sadducees, and no amount of explanation could clarify the truth to them. Those who insist on adopting a sectarian view of the truth will fall into the same snare, for God will not permit such people to see or profit fromHis truth. The Divine commentary on the positions and lives of such people is that they “err,” going astray.
YE KNOW NOT THE POWER OF GOD. Not only were they wrong about Scripture, they were wrong about God as well. They had no acquaintance with His power, which is the means by which the dead will be raised. There are still those who deny the possibility of what God is declared to do, assigning mystical meanings to such things as the resurrection of the dead. Such views are the result of being ignorant of the greatness of God’s power – a power that has been most fully exhibited in the resurrection of Christ. Those who know the power of God in truth acknowledge that with God, “nothing is impossible” (Lk 1:37). Such know the power of God.
WHEN THEY RISE FROM THE DEAD
“25For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.”
Jesus will proceed to affirm the truth. He will not argue with these men, for their position is altogether fictitious. They are willingly ignorant, and therefore Jesus will not discuss the subject with them. He will rather declare the truth of the matter.
WHEN THEY SHALL RISE. Jesus declares, “they shall rise from the dead!” Matthew records Him simply replying, “in the resurrection” (Matt 22:29). The Lord addresses the subject in view of the total foolishness of the Sadducees’ position. He does not give them credit for being either right or honest, and gives their view no dignity. There is not the remotest chance that their theology was correct – that “there is no resurrection.” You may recall that their teaching would even penetrate into the Grecian world, being taught in the Corinthian church. Paul challenged those people with this question: “how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Cor 15:12-13). The absurdity of the view that there is no resurrection of the dead is also seen in Paul’s words to Agrippa: “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8). The position cannot be justified on any level. It is foolish, even at the academic point, which is the lowest view of the truth of God. In fact, the only way this view can be adopted is to be ignorant of the Scriptures and the power of God.
Notice how Jesus speaks – with certitude and confidence: “when they shall rise from the dead.” Thus He holds the doctrine of the Sadducees up to derision because there is no sense in it. Our day requires a return to this kind of spiritual candidness – particularly regarding the resurrection of the dead. I have personally witnessed a number of expressions from purported Christian men that smacked of the religion of the Sadducees. I well remember the recent funeral of a venerated saint of God in which one of the speakers declared funerals were a sort of mystery and disappointment to him. He confessed that he marveled that the one whom he was honoring had confessed a season of exhilaration at a funeral in which hope was being lauded and the expectation of eternity promoted. I fear this kind of view is not as uncommon as some imagine.
Notice the certitude of Christ’s words concerning the raising of the dead. “the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29). Paul speaks with the same confidence and firmness: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Cor 15:52). Again he affirms, “the dead in Christ shall rise” (1 Thess 4:17). The day of judgment postulates the raising of the dead (Rev 20:13), so that a denial of the resurrection constitutes a denial of the day of judgment as well. The fact that these are not common subjects in the contemporary church is itself proof that its leaders have gone astray, erring like the Sadducees. It is not possible that something of the magnitude of the resurrection the dead could be glossed or neglected by anyone with understanding!
NEITHER MARRY NOR ARE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE. Luke provides these additional words of Jesus, “The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage” (Luke 20:34). Resurrection, however, does not have to do with this world, but “the world to come” (Lk 20:35). Therefore, those who affirm the saints are coming back with Jesus to rule in this present world could not possibly be more wrong. After their death, and in the resurrection, they will “obtain that world,” not this one (Lk 20:35).
Now Jesus exposes the absurdity of the position of the Sadducees. Their question completely ignored the fact that there is no marriage following the resurrection. Marriage is something established in view of mortality, and the resurrection of the dead has to do with immortality. One of the primary reasons for marriage is procreation, or the continuance of the human race (Gen 1:28; 9:1). Whatever the relationship of those who were one married is in the world to come, it will not be one of marriage. Should both parties obtain that world, their relationship with one another will be vastly superior to the one they had in the flesh.
THEY ARE AS THE ANGELS. Jesus goes on to say that the resurrection will result in a similarity to the angels – at least in the matter of marriage. Luke adds, “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36). As Paul declared, death will be “swallowed up in victory” when we “put on immortality” (1 Cor 15:53-54). Equality with the angels is in this regard: “neither can they die any more.” That is precisely why they “neither marry nor are given in marriage.”
Thus you see the ridiculousness of the Sadducees’ question, and how their spiritual stupidity and corrupt hearts were exposed by it. They spoke as though God had been silent on the matter of the resurrection, thus making it purely a matter of conjecture.
Valid questions must integrate with the truth of God. If they are merely speculative – which many religious questions are – they are nothing more than the expression of error.