Bible Strands
Mark 12:19
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Sadducees, who deny resurrection, address Jesus as Teacher and cite a Mosaic regulation to test His view on the afterlife. They present a hypothetical case of levirate marriage to frame their question.
The words — The text highlights ἔγραψεν (egrapsen) = wrote and ἀδελφὸς (adelphos) = a brother. These terms anchor the Sadducees' appeal to Mosaic authority and the familial duty they are describing.
The thread — This levirate provision originates in Deuteronomy 25:5 and appears in Genesis 38:8. The Sadducees adapt this legal tradition when formulating their question to Jesus.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to recognize how legal questions about family duty intersect with claims about life after death. It demands careful attention to how Scripture addresses both earthly obligations and divine promises.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 25:5 When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her.
- Genesis 38:8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”
- Ruth 1:11 But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb to become your husbands?
- Ruth 4:5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.”