Mark 12:20

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children.

American Standard Version (1901)

There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;

Bible in Basic English

There were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and at his death there were no offspring;

Free Bible Version

Once there were seven brothers. The first one got married, and then died without having children.

Geneva Bible 1599

There were seuen brethren, and the first tooke a wife, and when he died, left no issue.

King James (Authorized) Version

Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

One Unity Resource Bible

There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

Plain English Version

But what about this. There were 7 brothers. The oldest brother got married, but he died before his wife could have a baby.

Translation for Translators

So here is an example. There were seven boys in one family. The oldest one married a woman, but he and his wife did not bear any children. Then he later died.

Unlocked Literal Bible

There were seven brothers; the first took a wife and then died, leaving no children.

Noah Webster Bible

Now there were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

World English Bible

There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

Young's Literal Translation

'There were then seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and dying, he left no seed;

Context

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

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.²⁰Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children.²¹Then the second one married the widow, but he also died and left no children. And the third did likewise.

Summary

In Mark 12:20, Jesus addresses the Sadducees' question about marriage in the afterlife by explaining that there is no marriage in heaven. He clarifies that those who are resurrected will be like angels and will not experience the same earthly relationships. This verse highlights the eternal nature of life after death and the transformation that will take place in the resurrection. Jesus' response challenges the Sadducees' limited understanding and points to the spiritual reality of the kingdom of God.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the seventh had her, and left no seed,.... All, the seven brethren married her, one after another, and neither of them had any children by her: and last of all the woman died also; after all the seven brethren, to whom she had been married.

Mark 12:20

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children.

American Standard Version (1901)

There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;

Bible in Basic English

There were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and at his death there were no offspring;

Free Bible Version

Once there were seven brothers. The first one got married, and then died without having children.

Geneva Bible 1599

There were seuen brethren, and the first tooke a wife, and when he died, left no issue.

King James (Authorized) Version

Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

One Unity Resource Bible

There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

Plain English Version

But what about this. There were 7 brothers. The oldest brother got married, but he died before his wife could have a baby.

Translation for Translators

So here is an example. There were seven boys in one family. The oldest one married a woman, but he and his wife did not bear any children. Then he later died.

Unlocked Literal Bible

There were seven brothers; the first took a wife and then died, leaving no children.

Noah Webster Bible

Now there were seven brothers: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.

World English Bible

There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

Young's Literal Translation

'There were then seven brothers, and the first took a wife, and dying, he left no seed;