What connections exist between Luke 20:28 and Deuteronomy 25:5-6? Setting the Texts Side by Side “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ ” “If brothers dwell together and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the deceased shall 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. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.” The Original Instruction in Deuteronomy • Called “levirate marriage” (from the Latin levir, “brother-in-law”). • Purpose: – Preserve the deceased brother’s name and inheritance line. – Keep tribal land within the family (cf. Numbers 27:8–11; 36:6–9). – Provide protection and provision for the widow. • Failure to perform the duty brought public shame (Deuteronomy 25:7–10). Why the Sadducees Cite It in Luke • Their aim: discredit belief in resurrection (Luke 20:27). • They accept only the Pentateuch; quoting Moses lends authority. • They create an extreme hypothetical—seven brothers—to show (they think) the absurdity of bodily resurrection. Key Connections Between the Passages 1. Same Mosaic command: Luke 20:28 is a direct, abbreviated quotation of Deuteronomy 25:5–6. 2. Shared themes: • Marriage viewed as covenantal, not merely romantic. • Lineage and inheritance tied to God’s covenant promises in the land. 3. Contrast in focus: • Deuteronomy emphasizes earthly legacy. • Luke’s narrative moves the discussion to eternal destiny—Jesus points to resurrection life where “they neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Luke 20:34–36). 4. Exposes the Sadducees’ misunderstanding: • They read Deuteronomy mechanically, missing its forward-looking hope. • Jesus affirms the law yet shows its fulfillment transcends present institutions. Broader Biblical Threads • Genesis 38—Judah and Tamar show an early example (though marred by sin). • Ruth 4—Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer, foreshadowing Christ. • Isaiah 54:5—The LORD called Israel’s true Husband, hinting at a relationship beyond human marriage. • Hebrews 2:11–15—Jesus becomes our Brother to “raise up” a redeemed family. Why This Matters for Us • Scripture’s unity: a single command in the Torah shapes a gospel conversation in Luke. • Resurrection hope: earthly institutions serve God’s purposes now but point to a greater, eternal reality. • Christ as ultimate Redeemer: He fulfills the levirate principle, ensuring His people’s name and inheritance can never be “blotted out” (1 Peter 1:3–4). Summary Points • Deuteronomy 25:5–6 establishes levirate marriage for lineage preservation. • Luke 20:28 quotes that law to set up a question about resurrection. • Jesus affirms the law yet reveals its temporary role in light of eternal life. • Both passages together highlight God’s faithfulness to preserve His people—first through family lines, finally through resurrection in Christ. |
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