Luke 20:27-40
Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” When all three Synoptic gospels report on the same event, it is often difficult to find something to say on days two or three. Thankfully, Luke tends to be the most different of the three writers, so it’s easier to find something to say on day three. Today is no exception. There were a number of items that Luke wrote differently than Matthew or Mark, but what caught my eye was today’s next-to-the-last verse: Then some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” (v. 39) The scribes were Pharisees and differed with the Sadducees as to the resurrection. So when Jesus answered the Sadducees’ question by confirming that “the dead are raised” (v. 37), He shot down the Sadducees and pleased the Pharisees. Luke is the only Synoptic to note the Pharisees’ affirmation of Jesus’ response.
Luke is also more clear than Matthew or Mark in phrasing the Sadducees’ context for their question (vv. 29-31) and in clarifying the realities and activities of the afterlife (vv. 34-36). All in all, we get a more complete coverage of this event from Luke.
Slava Bohu!
Thanks, Fred. I must have read too fast because I processed that the Sadducees were pleased, haha. I had wondered about that! I also liked how Jesus cited Moses back to them because they only held to the Pentateuch. They asked about marriage in heaven but He went deeper to the real issue or question.