Luke 20:35Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, the individuals of that era do not engage in such matters, as they are free from death; hence, there is no marriage in that realm, but rather a life that is angelic and divine. In this context, marriage exists because of the presence of death, and death is present because of marriage. Therefore, in a place where death no longer exists, what purpose does marriage serve? Marriage is established to assist those who are mortal and to compensate for their deficiencies. Thus, in a state devoid of deficiency, what necessity is there for replenishment?

yet those who have lived a virtuous and deliberate life, abundant in all goodness, and have thus been deemed worthy of experiencing the magnificent and wondrous resurrection, will undeniably be raised far above the existence that people have in this world...

What does the Lord convey to the Sadducees? You are mistaken, not understanding either the Scriptures or the might of God. For after the resurrection, they do not marry nor are given in marriage; they cannot die any longer, for they are like the angels of God (Mt 22:29-30, Mk 12:24-35, Lk 20:34-36). The power of God is truly immense. Why is there no marriage or giving in marriage? It is because death cannot touch them anymore. Where there are the living, there can be descendants, but in the resurrection, such corruption will cease. The Lord Himself experienced growth from childhood to maturity, for during His time on earth, He bore the essence of our mortal flesh. However, after His resurrection in the very age in which He was buried, should we believe that He has aged in heaven?

On the topic of resurrection and inquiries surrounding it, it can be noted that the Lord does not reject the institution of marriage and is aware of human desires in the context of resurrection. When He references 'the sons of this age,' it is not to differentiate them from the sons of another era, but rather to affirm the reality of being 'born in this age'; as those who are born engage in procreation and are created, for every individual enters this existence through birth. However, this earthly birth, subject to decay, no longer applies to one who has been separated from this life.

Young women, be mindful of the paths you choose; protect your future self. The reward for righteousness is immense, especially the invaluable gift of purity. It is essential to understand what undermines the virtue of moderation and the benefits it brings. God spoke to the woman, saying, "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you" (Genesis 3:16). However, you are liberated from this condemnation: you are not burdened by the unique struggles associated with motherhood; you need not fear the process of childbirth; your husband does not hold dominion over you, for your true Lord and Head is Christ, who stands in the place of your husband.

O my brethren, let us awaken and strive, that we may be accounted worthy to attain that blessed world!

When the Pharisees were rendered speechless by this response, the Sadducees, also part of the Sanhedrin, delighted in their embarrassment and promptly posed a question to Him concerning the belief in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine they had dismissed due to the absurd consequences they believed it entailed. Just as the Lord had addressed the Pharisees, He now confronted the Sadducees, uprooting the very misconceptions they had propagated. They cited the case of a woman who, according to human law, had been married to seven brothers. In response, the Lord illustrated that their error arose from two main points: their lack of understanding of the Scriptures and their ignorance of God's omnipotence.

The collaboration between the Sadducees and the Pharisees in this instance is not clearly indicated in the Gospel narratives. It is plausible that witnessing Jesus Christ publicly shaming the Pharisees filled them with delight, prompting a desire for Him to also mock the Pharisees’ belief in the resurrection of the dead, which hypothesized that upon the arrival of the Messiah, all Israelites would be resurrected to dwell in the holy land. At the very least, Jesus’ response pleased the scribes, as noted in Luke 39, which also invigorated the Pharisees following the Sadducees' defeat, as seen in Matthew 34.

Jesus responded to them, saying, "You are mistaken because you lack understanding of the future Eternal Life. You incorrectly perceive that in that realm, people will engage in the same earthly pleasures as they do here. However, this is not the case: those who are exalted to become children of God after their resurrection will be like angels and will experience a different kind of existence—one that is spiritual and angelic. Just as the angels do, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage, for they cannot die."

Those who have entered the kingdom of heaven, following their resurrection, will not marry, as they will be immortal like the angels and will no longer need to concern themselves with the continuation of humanity.

Luke's narrative regarding the inquiry from the Sadducees and the Lord's response mirrors that of the first two Gospel writers, with some phrases exchanged for similar alternatives. Refer to Matthew 22:23-33 and Mark 12:18-27. Luke’s account aligns closely with those of Matthew and Mark, differing only in some wording within the response. In this context, it is noted that Moses proclaimed when he called to God, recording the words of the Lord conveyed to him at the Tabernacle, where God identifies Himself as the God of the patriarchs. Moses, the recipient of laws from God, referred to Him as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.