Luke 20:36
In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.
nor can they die anymore
This phrase speaks to the eternal nature of the resurrected life. In the Greek, the word for "die" is "ἀποθνῄσκω" (apothnēskō), which means to die off or to perish. The use of "anymore" emphasizes the finality and permanence of this state. In the context of the resurrection, this signifies a transformation from mortality to immortality, a promise of eternal life that is central to Christian hope. Historically, this assurance would have been revolutionary to the Jewish audience of Jesus' time, who had varied beliefs about the afterlife. The Sadducees, for instance, denied the resurrection, making Jesus' teaching here particularly poignant.

for they are like the angels
The comparison to angels highlights the spiritual transformation that occurs in the resurrection. Angels, in biblical understanding, are immortal beings who serve God and exist in His presence. The Greek word "ἄγγελοι" (angeloi) refers to messengers or envoys, often seen as divine beings. This likeness to angels suggests a state of purity, holiness, and eternal service to God. It also implies a change in nature, from earthly to heavenly, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and glorification.

and are sons of God
Being called "sons of God" is a profound statement of identity and relationship. The Greek term "υἱοί" (huioi) denotes a filial relationship, implying inheritance and belonging. In the New Testament, this phrase often signifies those who are part of God's family through faith in Christ. This status as "sons" indicates a special privilege and position, reflecting the intimate relationship believers have with God. It echoes the promise of adoption found in other scriptures, such as Romans 8:15-17, where believers are described as heirs with Christ.

since they are sons of the resurrection
This final phrase ties the identity of believers directly to the resurrection. The Greek word "ἀνάστασις" (anastasis) means a rising up or resurrection. Being "sons of the resurrection" signifies that their new life and identity are rooted in the power and reality of Jesus' resurrection. It underscores the transformative power of the resurrection, not just as a future hope, but as a present reality that defines the believer's life. This concept is central to Christian doctrine, affirming that through Christ's victory over death, believers too will experience resurrection and eternal life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, addressing the Sadducees who questioned Him about the resurrection.

2. Sadducees
A Jewish sect that denied the resurrection, questioning Jesus to trap Him.

3. Angels
Spiritual beings who serve God, mentioned here as a comparison to the resurrected state.

4. Children of the Resurrection
Refers to those who will be resurrected to eternal life.

5. Children of God
Those who are part of God's family through faith and resurrection.
Teaching Points
Eternal Life Assurance
Believers have the assurance of eternal life, as they will be like the angels, immortal and glorified.

Identity in Christ
Our identity as "children of God" is secured through the resurrection, emphasizing our belonging to God's family.

Hope in Resurrection
The promise of resurrection provides hope and encouragement to live faithfully in the present.

Transformation Promise
The transformation into a glorified state should motivate believers to pursue holiness and godliness.

Victory Over Death
Understanding that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life should alleviate the fear of death.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of being "like the angels" in the resurrection impact your understanding of eternal life?

2. In what ways does identifying as a "child of God" influence your daily life and decisions?

3. How can the hope of resurrection encourage you in times of suffering or loss?

4. What practical steps can you take to live in light of the transformation promised in the resurrection?

5. How does the assurance of victory over death shape your perspective on current challenges and future uncertainties?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 15
Discusses the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of believers, emphasizing the victory over death.

Philippians 3:20-21
Speaks of our citizenship in heaven and the transformation of our bodies to be like Christ's glorious body.

Revelation 21:4
Describes the new heaven and new earth where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain.

Matthew 22:30
Jesus explains that in the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage but will be like the angels in heaven.
Christ Supreme in DebateR.M. Edgar Luke 20:20-40
Christ's Answer to the SadduceesArchbishop Tillotson.Luke 20:27-38
Equality of Men with AngelsE. Payson, D. D.Luke 20:27-38
Equality with AngelsP. Morrison.Luke 20:27-38
Foundations of Christian HopeW. Clarkson Luke 20:27-38
In the Resurrection Saints are as AngelsJ. McCosh, D. D.Luke 20:27-38
LessonsJames Foote, M. A.Luke 20:27-38
Mercy Weaves the Veil of Secrecy Over the FutureD. Thomas, D. D.Luke 20:27-38
Resurrection: an Easter-Day SermonJ. N. Bennie, LL. B.Luke 20:27-38
Reticence of the Bible in Regard to Heavenly HappinessChristian AgeLuke 20:27-38
The Living God of Living MenLuke 20:27-38
The Mortal and the ImmortalH. Bonar, D. D.Luke 20:27-38
The Sadducees SilencedJ. Thompson, D. D.Luke 20:27-38
The World to ComeG. Burder.Luke 20:27-38
The World to ComeExpository OutlinesLuke 20:27-38
People
David, Isaac, Jacob, Jesus, John
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Able, Angels, Anymore, Can't, Dead, Death, Die, Equal, God's, Indeed, Messengers, Power, Resurrection, Rising, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 20:36

     5059   rest, eternal
     6610   adoption, descriptions
     7115   children of God
     9137   immortality, NT

Luke 20:27-36

     5661   brothers

Luke 20:27-38

     5681   family, nature of
     7555   Sadducees

Luke 20:34-36

     5204   age
     6645   eternal life, nature of

Luke 20:34-38

     2045   Christ, knowledge of
     9314   resurrection, of the dead

Luke 20:35-36

     9021   death, natural

Luke 20:35-38

     2363   Christ, preaching and teaching

Library
Whose Image and Superscription?
'Whose image and superscription hath it?'--Luke xx. 24. It is no unusual thing for antagonists to join forces in order to crush a third person obnoxious to both. So in this incident we have an unnatural alliance of the two parties in Jewish politics who were at daggers drawn. The representatives of the narrow conservative Judaism, which loathed a foreign yoke, in the person of the Pharisees and Scribes, and the Herodians, the partisans of a foreigner and a usurper, lay their heads together to propose
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Tenants who Wanted to be Owners
'Then began He to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time. 10. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty. 11. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. 12. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The God of the Living.
He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.--ST LUKE xx. 38. It is a recurring cause of perplexity in our Lord's teaching, that he is too simple for us; that while we are questioning with ourselves about the design of Solomon's earring upon some gold-plated door of the temple, he is speaking about the foundations of Mount Zion, yea, of the earth itself, upon which it stands. If the reader of the Gospel supposes that our Lord was here using a verbal argument with the Sadducees,
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

The Resurrection of the Sleeping Saints.
"And the dead in Christ shall rise first." This is the second blessed event which shall occur at the Redeemer's return--the sleeping saints will be awakened and raised. This brings us to a branch of our subject upon which there is much ignorance and confusion in Christendom generally. The idea which popularly obtains is that of a general resurrection at the end of time. So deeply rooted is this belief and so widely is it held that to declare there will be two resurrections--one of saints and another
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Morality of the Gospel.
Is stating the morality of the Gospel as an argument of its truth, I am willing to admit two points; first, that the teaching of morality was not the primary design of the mission; secondly, that morality, neither in the Gospel, nor in any other book, can be a subject, properly speaking, of discovery. If I were to describe in a very few words the scope of Christianity as a revelation, [49] I should say that it was to influence the conduct of human life, by establishing the proof of a future state
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the Third Great Group of Parables.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision A. Introduction ^A Matt. XXI. 23-27; ^B Mark XI. 27-33; ^C Luke XX. 1-8. ^c 1 And it came to pass, on one of the days, ^b they [Jesus and the disciples] come again to Jerusalem: ^a 23 And when he was come into the temple, ^b and as he was walking in the temple [The large outer court of the temple, known as the court of the Gentiles, was thronged during the feasts, and was no doubt the part selected by Jesus and his apostles when
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the Third Great Group of Parables.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision C. Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen. ^A Matt. XXI. 33-46; ^B Mark XII. 1-12; ^C Luke XX. 9-19. ^b 1 And he began to speak unto them ^c the people [not the rulers] ^b in parables. { ^c this parable:} ^a 33 Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder [this party represents God], who planted a vineyard [this represents the Hebrew nationality], and set a hedge about it, and digged a ^b pit for the ^a winepress in it
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
(Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision A. Pharisees and Herodians Ask About Tribute. ^A Matt. XXII. 15-22; ^B Mark XII. 13-17; ^C Luke XX. 20-26. ^a 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk. ^c 20 And they watched him, and sent forth { ^b send unto him} ^a their disciples, ^b certain of the Pharisees and of { ^a with} ^b the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk. [Perceiving that Jesus, when on his guard, was too wise for them,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus' Last Public Discourse. Denunciation of Scribes and Pharisees.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXIII. 1-39; ^B Mark XII. 38-40; ^C Luke XX. 45-47. ^a 1 Then spake Jesus ^b 38 And in his teaching ^c in the hearing of all the people he said unto ^a the multitudes, and to his disciples [he spoke in the most public manner], 2 saying, ^c 46 Beware of the scribes, ^a The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat: 3 all things whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Events of that Day - the Question of Christ's Authority - the Question of Tribute to Cæsar - The
THE record of this third day is so crowded, the actors introduced on the scene are so many, the occurrences so varied, and the transitions so rapid, that it is even more than usually difficult to arrange all in chronological order. Nor need we wonder at this, when we remember that this was, so to speak, Christ's last working-day - the last, of His public Mission to Israel, so far as its active part was concerned; the last day in the Temple; the last, of teaching and warning to Pharisees and Sadducees;
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Fac-Similes
OF ANCIENT NEW TESTAMENT MANUSCRIPTS, TO ILLUSTRATE CHAPTER XXVI., PAGE 380. Most of the following specimens of ancient manuscripts are taken from Scrivener's Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament. No. (1) is from Tischendorf s Novum Testamentum Graece ex Sinaitico Codice; Nos. (2) and (11) from Smith's Dictionary of the Bible; and No. (5) from Horne's Introduction, Vol. IV. No. (1). PLATE I. SINAI CODEX, Century IV. Heb. 12:27-29. Notice the occasional use of very small letters. In
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Third Day in Pasion-Week - the Last Series of Parables: to the Pharisees and to the People - on the Way to Jerusalem: the Parable
(ST. Matt. xix. 30, xx. 16; St. Matt. xxi. 28-32; St. Mark xii. 1-12; St. Luke xx. 9-19; St. Matt. xxii. 1-14.) ALTHOUGH it may not be possible to mark their exact succession, it will be convenient here to group together the last series of Parables. Most, if not all of them, were spoken on that third day in Passion week: the first four to a more general audience; the last three (to be treated in another chapter) to the disciples, when, on the evening of that third day, on the Mount of Olives, [5286]
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Wherefore I Cannot Indeed Say, of Females who have Fallen Away from a Better...
14. Wherefore I cannot indeed say, of females who have fallen away from a better purpose, in case they shall have married, that they are adulteries, not marriages; but I plainly would not hesitate to say, that departures and fallings away from a holier chastity, which is vowed unto the Lord, are worse than adulteries. For if, what may no way be doubted, it pertains unto an offense against Christ, when a member of Him keepeth not faith to her husband; how much graver offense is it against Him, when
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

Difficulties and Objections
"Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not My way equal? are not your ways unequal?" (Ezek. 18:25). A convenient point has been reached when we may now examine, more definitely, some of the difficulties encountered and the objections which might be advanced against what we have written in previous pages. The author deemed it better to reserve these for a separate consideration rather than deal with them as he went along, requiring as that would have done the
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Synopsis. --Account to be Made of the Law of Atrophy through Disuse. --The virgin Birth and the Corporeal Resurrection of Jesus
VII SYNOPSIS.--Account to be made of the law of atrophy through disuse.--The virgin birth and the corporeal resurrection of Jesus, the two miracles now insisted on as the irreducible minimum, affected by this law.--The vital truths of the incarnation and immortality independent of these miracles.--These truths now placed on higher ground in a truer conception of the supernatural.--The true supernatural is the spiritual, not the miraculous.--Scepticism bred from the contrary view.--The miracle narratives,
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Of the Practice of Piety in Holy Feasting.
Holy feasting is a solemn thanksgiving, appointed by authority, to be rendered to God on some special day, for some extraordinary blessings or deliverances received. Such among the Jews was the feast of the Passover (Exod. xii. 15), to remember to praise God for their deliverance out of Egypt's bondage; or the feast of Purim (Esth. ix. 19, 21), to give thanks for their deliverance from Haman's conspiracy. Such amongst us is the fifth of November, to praise God for the deliverance of the king and
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Jesus Attends the First Passover of his Ministry.
(Jerusalem, April 9, a.d. 27.) Subdivision A. Jesus Cleanses the Temple. ^D John II. 13-25. ^d 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand [We get our information as to the length of our Lord's ministry from John's Gospel. He groups his narrative around six Jewish festivals: 1, He here mentions the first passover; 2, another feast, which we take to have been also a passover (v. 1); 3, another passover (vi. 4); 4, the feast of tabernacles (vii. 2); 5, dedication (x. 22); 6, passover (xi. 55). This
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
(Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision B. Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection. ^A Matt. XXII. 23-33; ^B Mark XII. 18-27; ^C Luke XX. 27-39. ^a 23 On that day there came { ^b come} unto him ^c certain of the the Sadducees, they that { ^b who} say there is no resurrection [As to the Sadducees, see p. 71. We may regard their attitude toward Christ as expressed by their leader Caiaphas, see p. 528]; and they asked him, saying, 19 Teacher, Moses wrote unto us [See Deut. xxv. 5,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The King on his Throne.
"Crown Him with many crowns, The King upon His Throne." When the time came for our Blessed Lord to return into Heaven again, He ascended in the presence of His Apostles, whilst in the act of blessing them; "and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts i. 9). And, we are told, they "returned to Jerusalem with great joy" (S. Luke xxiv. 52), not sorrowing as before at His being taken from them. And when we consider what His Ascension implied, we can see that they had good reason for their joy.
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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