Luke 20:34 Meaning: Understanding Jesus' Words On Marriage

Hey guys! Ever find yourself scratching your head over a particular verse in the Bible? Today, we're diving deep into Luke 20:34 to unravel its meaning and significance. This verse is part of a larger conversation where Jesus is engaging with the Sadducees, a group known for not believing in the resurrection. They pose a tricky question about a woman who was married to seven brothers, one after the other, due to the law of levirate marriage. So, whose wife would she be in the resurrection?

Luke 20:34 says, "Jesus replied, 'The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.'" To really get what Jesus is saying here, we need to break it down piece by piece and understand the context. The key here is to recognize that Jesus is contrasting life in "this age" with life in the age to come, that is, the resurrection. In this age, marriage is a fundamental part of human society. It provides a framework for relationships, families, and the continuation of generations. People marry and are given in marriage as a natural part of life. This is how things work in our current world, with all its complexities and relationships.

However, Jesus is pointing out that the rules and norms of this age do not necessarily apply in the resurrection. The resurrection is a completely different reality, a new existence that transcends our current understanding. Jesus isn't saying that marriage is bad or unimportant in this life. Instead, He's highlighting that the purpose and nature of marriage, as we know it, are specific to this age. In the age to come, things will be different. There will be no need for marriage as we understand it now. This isn't to diminish the value of marriage, but to emphasize the unique character of the resurrected life. It’s like comparing apples and oranges; both are fruits, but they serve different purposes and have distinct qualities.

Delving Deeper: Context and Deeper Meaning

To truly understand Luke 20:34, we need to examine the context in which Jesus made this statement. The Sadducees were trying to trap Jesus with a question they thought was unanswerable, a question designed to make the idea of resurrection seem absurd. They presented a scenario involving a woman who had been married to seven brothers sequentially, due to the ancient Jewish law of levirate marriage. This law stated that if a man died without having children, his brother was obligated to marry the widow to continue the family line. The Sadducees' question was, in essence, "Whose wife will she be in the resurrection?"

Jesus' response addresses the underlying assumptions of their question. He explains that their question is based on a misunderstanding of the nature of the resurrection. In this age, marriage is essential for procreation and the continuation of society. But in the age to come, the resurrected life is different. People will not marry or be given in marriage because the need for procreation will no longer exist. The resurrected will be like angels, immortal and not subject to the limitations of earthly life. This is a profound statement about the nature of the resurrection. It's not simply a continuation of our current existence but a transformation into a new, glorious, and eternal reality. Jesus is essentially saying, “You’re asking the wrong question because you’re applying the rules of this age to the age to come, which operates under different principles.”

The key takeaway here is that the resurrection is not just a simple continuation of our earthly life. It is a radical transformation into a new state of being. The relationships and institutions that define our current existence, such as marriage, will not necessarily exist in the same way in the resurrection. This doesn't devalue marriage in this age; rather, it highlights the unique and transformative nature of the resurrection. Jesus' words challenge us to think beyond our current understanding of life and relationships and to consider the profound implications of eternal life.

The Significance of "This Age" and "The Age to Come"

Jesus often spoke about this age and the age to come to help His followers understand the difference between earthly life and the eternal life that awaits believers. This age refers to our current existence, with all its limitations, challenges, and temporary structures. It is the world we live in now, characterized by sin, suffering, and mortality. Marriage, family, and all other human institutions are part of this age, designed to function within its constraints.

The age to come, on the other hand, refers to the future reality of the Kingdom of God, the eternal life that believers will experience after the resurrection. This age is characterized by immortality, perfection, and the absence of suffering. It is a state of being that transcends our current understanding and limitations. In the age to come, the need for marriage, as we know it, will no longer exist because people will be like angels, immortal and not subject to death.

Jesus' distinction between this age and the age to come is crucial for understanding His teachings. He often used this framework to explain that the values and priorities of earthly life should not overshadow the importance of eternal life. While earthly relationships and institutions are important, they are temporary and should not be the ultimate focus of our lives. Our ultimate hope and focus should be on the age to come and the eternal blessings that await us in the Kingdom of God.

By understanding this distinction, we can better appreciate the significance of Luke 20:34. Jesus is not devaluing marriage but rather highlighting the unique nature of the resurrected life. He is encouraging us to think beyond the limitations of this age and to focus on the eternal reality of the age to come. This perspective helps us to prioritize our lives and to live in a way that is pleasing to God, with an eye toward eternity.

Implications for Our Understanding of Marriage

So, what are the implications of Luke 20:34 for our understanding of marriage? First and foremost, it's important to recognize that Jesus is not diminishing the value or importance of marriage in this age. Marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God, designed to bring companionship, love, and procreation. It is a vital part of human society and plays a crucial role in the upbringing of children and the stability of communities.

However, Jesus' words remind us that marriage, as we know it, is a temporary institution that is specific to this age. In the resurrection, the need for marriage will no longer exist because people will be like angels, immortal and not subject to death. This doesn't mean that our relationships with our spouses will cease to exist in the resurrection. Rather, it suggests that the nature of those relationships will be transformed and perfected in a way that we cannot fully comprehend now.

Furthermore, Luke 20:34 challenges us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. While marriage is a precious gift, it should not become an idol or the ultimate focus of our lives. Our primary allegiance should be to God, and our ultimate hope should be in the eternal life that He offers. This perspective helps us to maintain a healthy balance in our lives and to avoid placing undue pressure on our marriages.

In practical terms, this means that we should strive to honor God in our marriages by loving and respecting our spouses, communicating openly and honestly, and working together to build a strong and healthy relationship. We should also seek to serve God together as a couple, using our gifts and talents to bless others and advance His Kingdom. By doing so, we can experience the fullness of God's blessings in our marriages and prepare ourselves for the eternal life that awaits us in the age to come.

Practical Application: Living with an Eternal Perspective

How can we apply the teachings of Luke 20:34 in our daily lives? The key is to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our time on earth is temporary and that our ultimate hope is in the resurrection and the age to come. This doesn't mean that we should neglect our earthly responsibilities or relationships. Rather, it means that we should approach them with a different mindset, recognizing that they are part of a larger, eternal plan.

One way to live with an eternal perspective is to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. This means spending time in prayer and studying the Bible, seeking to know God better and to align our lives with His will. It also means cultivating a spirit of gratitude and contentment, recognizing that all good things come from God and that we should be thankful for His blessings.

Another way to live with an eternal perspective is to invest in things that have eternal value. This includes sharing the Gospel with others, serving those in need, and using our gifts and talents to bless others and advance God's Kingdom. These are the things that will last for eternity and that will bring us the greatest joy and fulfillment.

Finally, living with an eternal perspective means approaching our relationships with a spirit of love, forgiveness, and grace. Recognizing that our relationships are temporary and that we will one day be reunited with our loved ones in the resurrection, we should strive to cherish and nurture those relationships, forgiving each other's faults and extending grace as God has extended grace to us.

By living with an eternal perspective, we can experience greater peace, joy, and purpose in our lives. We can also have a more profound impact on the world around us, serving as ambassadors for Christ and sharing the hope of eternal life with others. So, let us strive to live each day with an eye toward eternity, knowing that our labor is not in vain and that our ultimate reward awaits us in the age to come.

In conclusion, Luke 20:34 is a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of our earthly existence and the eternal reality of the resurrection. While marriage is a precious gift in this age, it is not the ultimate focus of our lives. Our ultimate hope should be in the age to come and the eternal blessings that await us in the Kingdom of God. By living with an eternal perspective, we can prioritize our relationship with God, invest in things that have eternal value, and approach our relationships with love, forgiveness, and grace. Let's embrace this understanding and live our lives in a way that honors God and prepares us for the eternal life that awaits us. What do you think, guys?