For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.
Parallel translations
- WEB For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
- KJV For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
- BSB In the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like the angels in heaven.
- NKJV For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.
- NASB For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In the resurrection people neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels. Resurrection life transcends earthly marriage.
Overview
Jesus explains that the resurrection state is not a mere continuation of earthly conditions; marriage as now practiced will not characterize it. Being 'like God's angels' refers to deathless, glorified existence, not to becoming angels. This dismantles the Sadducees' puzzle by revealing their wrong assumption about the life to come.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Luke 20:34–36Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry, and are given in marriage.
- Mark 12:24–25Jesus answered them, “Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God?
- 1 Cor 7:29–31But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;
- John 5:28–29Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice,
- Matt 24:38For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship,
- 1 Jn 3:1–2See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God! For this cause the world doesn’t know us, because it didn’t know him.
- Rev 19:10I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”
- Ps 103:20Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word.
- Matt 13:43Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
- Rev 5:9–11They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
- Zech 3:7“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.
- Matt 18:10See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
- Luke 17:27They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 22:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.