Now it’s the Sadducees’
turn to try to play gotcha with
Jesus. Their question was a primary
theological difference they had with the Pharisees. Clearly these groups were very political with
the Sadducees being more closely associated with the family of the High Priest
while the Pharisees were in the majority on the Jewish council, the
Sanhedrin. But they joined in opposition
to Jesus because He was a threat to their powerful and lucrative positions. But having said that, note that at the end of
this story, when Jesus has answered the Sadducees,
The question is based
in the Bible as it poses a hypothetical situation related to the marital laws
(see Deut. 25:5-6). What is at stake is
not marriage however but the resurrection from the dead which the Sadducees
denied (remember Paul started an argument over this issue in the Sanhedrin in
Acts 23:6-10). Before noting Jesus’
wonderful answer we should remember that a story is not proof of anything. Narrative is not the primary source of
doctrine and the use of the hypothetical demonstrates the emptiness of
Sadduceean theology.
Matthew
and Mark give us Jesus’ initial answer: the Sadducees erred twice, not knowing
the Scriptures and not knowing the power of God. As to the first err Jesus corrects them in
terms of what life is like in eternity.
- · Those who attain the next age must be worthy of that, a reference to the necessity of faith in Christ.
- · There is no marriage in the resurrection. This does not mean that we will not have a relationship with believing spouses in this life or with others. Marriage is an earthly institution, the first established in creation (Gen. 2). Thus the extreme situation in the story was irrelevant.
- · Another difference between this life and the next is that in the next there is no death. They cannot die. In that sense the saints become like the angels (they do not become angels).
Jesus
then dealt with the major issue: is there a resurrection? Jesus used a simple
syllogism to explain the Scriptures and the power of God.
o God
is the God of the living (every Jew believe this).
o God
is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (every Jews knows this).
o Therefore
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are living.
Again, as with Jesus’
answer to the tax question, there is astonishment. Perhaps we can see some Pharisaical joy in the
Sadducees being put in their place. As
Luke points out, this is the last question coming from the organized opposition
(the next question comes from an individual Scribe). But that is all. There is no reckoning with the One who speaks
the truth and is the Truth. It’s all
about making a point, winning an argument, and embarrassing our Lord. Sincere questions are good; seeking God is
essential. But we must come to the place
where we answer His question: who do you say that I am? (Matt. 16:15)
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