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Scripture Reading
Introduction
1.
A Question to Deny the Resurrection (vv.27-33)
1.1.
The Context
The sadducees were a reasonably powerful sect within the Jewish people.
They were associated with the priests of the Jews, and were typically known to be very wealthy.
In terms of their beliefs, there were some significant differences when compared with the beliefs of the Pharisees.
One example of this was that the Sadducees accepted only the written word, and rejected the oral tradition that the Pharisees held to.
They also rejected what’s referred to as the “Eternal divine decree” - relating to God’s providential working.
They called it “fate,” and didn’t agree with it, but rather held to the freedom of the will.
The reason I bring some of these other differences up is that they give us some idea of the tensions and conflicts that would probably have been part of the interactions of the various groups.
Of significance in this scenario, however, is the fact that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection from the dead.
They believed that you lived this life, and then when your body died, that was the end of you.
They believed that the soul perished along with the body.
They also didn’t believe in spiritual beings such as angels.
we often think that ancient people were unsophisticated, gullible, and nonempirical, believing in gods and spirits at every turn.
But some in the ancient world were skeptical of spiritual teaching, just as moderns are.
The Sadducees were “modern” people in an ancient time, questioning both the existence of angels and the resurrection.
They were committed materialists, dedicated to pursuing life on this earth.
In a sense, they speak for a common attitude today.
So, there were these strong beliefs, very different indeed from the Pharisees, but they were together part of the ruling council of Jews (Sanhedrin).
The extent of these differences was so significant, that Paul used these differences to create some chaos when he was on trial before them.
That gives us a sense of how tense things could get between these groups.
Now, we saw previously that the Pharisees (along with the Herodians) had come with a question with the view of catching Jesus out.
They had wanted to have him arrested.
In all likelihood, the Sadducees were quite thrilled at the failure of the Pharisees, simply because they were opponents.
But it’s the Sadducees that now approach Jesus with a question.
What was the intent of the Sadducees?
Probably shaming Jesus, and one-upping the Pharisees at the same time, to whom they were opposed.
Notice the question they then ask.
Before we go on, let us pause and consider their words here.
Firstly, we see that Jesus is once again referred to as “Teacher.”
They were respectful of Jesus, although not supportive of Him.
The question that they pose to Jesus goes back to something that was written by Moses in the Book of the Law.
In fact, it was a law that was given through Moses in order to continue the name of a man who had died without children.
You will sometimes hear this referred to as the “Levirate marriage”.
The word levirate has nothing to do with the tribe of Levi, but rather comes from the Latin word levir, “a husband’s brother.”
Before we get to the actual law, we should recognise that the Sadducees regarding the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament) as supreme, as higher in value than the other books of the Old Testament.
They were now going to the Law, a section that they held in high regard, in order to establish / argue for the correctness of their own opinion.
The law upon which their question will be based is outlined in...
The important thing to see from this is that the law was given in order to continue the name of the original husband.
We don’t see this in our own day, and we struggle to comprehend how important this is.
But in the early days of Israel, continuing the family line, and thus the line through which the inheritance would be passed down, was extremely important to them.
In fact, a person who would not continue the family line by following this vow was really frowned upon.
It was actually a shameful thing to neglect your responsibility in this regard.
We see from this the weightiness of the belief that was held to in that day.
It’s quite important for us to see this.
This wasn’t an insignificant matter culturally for them.
It was really important in their minds.
This sets the context of the question itself.
1.2.
The Question
The Sadducees have brought before Jesus a scenario that truly sounds absurd.
While it starts off reasonable, they really are bringing a far-fetched situation that borders on absurdity!
And this is obviously in order to create a conundrum situation that would be difficult, if not impossible for Jesus to answer!
It seems like the odds were stacked up against these brothers.
You would think that by the time the third and fourth brothers had died, the rest would want nothing to do with this lady!!
She was dangerous!!! Let’s rather take the shame of not marrying her!!
We need to realise that the Sadducees were truly out to make anyone who believed in the resurrection look ridiculous, based on this scenario.
They could simply have used two brothers.
The first died; the second died; there were no children… whose wife would she be, the first or the second.
They drew the picture to the level of absurdity in order to drive home what they believed was the absurdity of the resurrection.
Keep in mind that the law allowed a woman to only have one husband.
As the fictitious scenario continues to unfold, the Sadducees conclude the story with verse 32...
A woman without any children, despite having gone through seven husbands.
Now the question itself…
All of that was conveyed to Jesus in order to set up the big question now set forth in this verse.
Whose wife will she be at the resurrection.
The thinking in their minds is that, if there truly is a resurrection, there is going to be war in heaven over this one woman, as the seven brothers fight over her for marriage.
Therefore, based on the Law of Moses, there cannot be a resurrection.
Obviously, their goal is to discredit the resurrection of anyone.
They are attempting to use the law in order to prove a point, even though the law that they use doesn’t speak specifically about the subject matter at hand.
Implications
There are some things that we must consider from this.
While the question itself may be humorous, it really is a crucial question.
The first reason that it was important, contextually, is because many Jews did believe in a resurrection.
From their own Scriptures, they would have argued for the resurrection.
An example of this could be found in Psalm 73.
As the Psalmist considers the prosperity of the wicked in life, and how they seem to live trouble-free lives, while the righteous struggle, he says that he had almost fallen, his foot had almost slipped.
But what changed his perspective....
Certainly implied in this recognition was a difference between the end of the righteous, and the end of the wicked.
Many other examples could be brought in this regard.
But beyond this, and very importantly, Jesus himself had been teaching his disciples about his own resurrection.
If these Sadducees were going to undermine and cause doubt in the resurrection, then the very words of Jesus would be undermined.
But even beyond this, the Christian hope is that of a resurrection.
This is central and critical to what we believe.
In fact, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17
This is a fundamental belief in the Christian faith.
Flowing out of this belief are three critical issues:
Accountability before God
Judgment
Eternal Life
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then we can eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die, and there is no consequence for the life lived here, because our souls perish with our bodies.
Do you see how important this truth is for your own life right now?
With that considered, let us see the answer that Jesus gives…
2.
An Answer that Confirms the Resurrection (vv.34-40)
Jesus now gives his reply to the Sadducees.
As the Pharisees had thought they had trapped JEsus by their question, so too the Sadducees probably thought they had trapped Jesus.
But He wisely answers them!
What we will see from Jesus is His wisdom beyond our comprehension, in terms of the Law of God, in terms of life in this world, but also in terms of life in the world to come.
2.1.
The Present Age
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