Luke 20:38
New International Version
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

New Living Translation
So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

English Standard Version
Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him.”

Berean Standard Bible
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now He is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him."

King James Bible
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

New King James Version
For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”

New American Standard Bible
Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.”

NASB 1995
“Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.”

NASB 1977
“Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to Him.”

Amplified Bible
Now He is not the God of the dead, but of the living [so these forefathers will be among the resurrected]; for all live [in a definite relationship] to Him.”

Christian Standard Bible
He is not the God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is not God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to Him.”

American Standard Version
Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

Contemporary English Version
So the Lord isn't the God of the dead, but of the living. This means that everyone is alive as far as God is concerned.

English Revised Version
Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He's not the God of the dead but of the living. In God's sight all people are living."

Good News Translation
He is the God of the living, not of the dead, for to him all are alive."

International Standard Version
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, because he considers all people to be alive to him."

Majority Standard Bible
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”

NET Bible
Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live before him."

New Heart English Bible
Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him."

Webster's Bible Translation
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.

Weymouth New Testament
He is not a God of dead, but of living men, for to Him are all living."

World English Bible
Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and He is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him.”

Berean Literal Bible
Now He is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him."

Young's Literal Translation
and He is not a God of dead men, but of living, for all live to Him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he is not God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For he is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so he is not the God of the dead, but of the living. For all are alive to him.”

New American Bible
and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
God is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live to him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But he was not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all of them were alive to him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him.

Godbey New Testament
He is not the God of the dead but of the living; for all live unto Him.

Haweis New Testament
Now God is not the God of the dead, but of the living: for all live with him.

Mace New Testament
for he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, they are all then alive with respect to him.

Weymouth New Testament
He is not a God of dead, but of living men, for to Him are all living."

Worrell New Testament
Now He is not a God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him."

Worsley New Testament
And He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for to Him they are all living.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
37Even Moses demonstrates that the dead are raised, in the passage about the burning bush. For he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.” 39Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well!”…

Cross References
Matthew 22:32
‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Mark 12:27
He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”

Romans 14:9
For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:45
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:15
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

Revelation 1:18
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Acts 17:28
‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’

Romans 6:11
So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:19
Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.

Exodus 3:6
Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Exodus 3:15-16
God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. / Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

Daniel 12:2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.


Treasury of Scripture

For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live to him.

a God.

Psalm 16:5-11
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot…

Psalm 22:23-26
Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel…

Psalm 145:1,2
David's Psalm of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever…

for all.

John 6:57
As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

John 11:25,26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: …

John 14:19
Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Jump to Previous
Alive Dead Live
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Alive Dead Live
Luke 20
1. Jesus confirms his authority by a question of John's baptism.
9. The parable of the vineyard.
19. Of giving tribute to Caesar.
27. He instructs the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection.
41. How Jesus is the Son of David.
45. He warns his disciples to beware of the scribes.














He is not the God of the dead
This phrase emphasizes the nature of God as one who is associated with life rather than death. The Greek word for "dead" here is "nekros," which refers to a lifeless state. In the context of the Sadducees' question about the resurrection, Jesus is affirming that God's relationship with humanity transcends physical death. Historically, the Sadducees denied the resurrection, and Jesus is correcting their misunderstanding by pointing out that God's covenant with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—implies an ongoing relationship that is not terminated by physical death. This highlights the eternal nature of God's promises and His dominion over life.

but of the living
The Greek word for "living" is "zōntōn," which signifies those who are alive, both physically and spiritually. This phrase underscores the belief in the resurrection and eternal life. In the Jewish tradition, God is often referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were long deceased by the time of Jesus. By stating that God is the God of the living, Jesus is affirming that these patriarchs are alive in God's presence, thus supporting the doctrine of the resurrection. This reflects the hope and assurance that believers have in eternal life through faith in God.

for to Him all are alive
The phrase "to Him" indicates God's perspective, which transcends human understanding of life and death. The Greek word "pantes" means "all," signifying the inclusivity of God's view of life. This suggests that in God's eternal perspective, all who have passed from this earthly life are still alive in His presence. This is a profound statement of faith, offering comfort and hope to believers that physical death is not the end. It aligns with the broader scriptural narrative that life continues beyond the grave, and that God maintains a relationship with His people beyond their earthly existence. This assurance of life after death is a cornerstone of Christian hope and is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which guarantees eternal life for all who believe.

(38) For all live unto him.--St. Luke alone adds the words. They are of value as developing the meaning of those that precede them. All life, in the truest, highest sense of that term, depends upon our relation to God. We live to Him, and in Him. And so when He reveals Himself as the God of those who have passed from earth, He witnesses that that relation continues still. They are not dead, but are still living unto Him. We may, perhaps, connect the thought thus expressed with St. Paul's words, "in Him we live, and move, and have our being," in his speech at Athens. (See Note on Acts 17:28.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

[the] God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

of [the] dead
νεκρῶν (nekrōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

of [the] living,
ζώντων (zōntōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

to Him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

are alive.”
ζῶσιν (zōsin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.


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