The Peril of Hypothetical Questions: Mark 12:18-27
“18) Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) *came to Jesus, and began questioning Him, saying, “19) Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and leaves no child, his brother should marry the wife and raise up children to his brother. 20) There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21) The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22) and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. 23) In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her.” 24) Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? 25) For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26) But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27) He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”” Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬-‭27‬ ‭
They were taking turns trying to discredit Him. This time it was a group of Sadducees. In their theological bias, they rejected the concept of a resurrection. They came a poised a hypothetical question to Jesus. These questions usually are packed with false pretense.
The question related to Deuteronomy 25-5-6 and raising up offspring for a deceased brother who died childless. In their question, they poses seven brothers in turn marrying a widowed sister in-law and dying childless. They wondered whose wife she would be in the resurrection? Note, their theological error was denying a resurrection. The construction of their question was loaded with bias.
Skeptics and agnostics come up with all kinds of ridiculous hypothetical questions to undergird unbelief. For example, “Can an omnipotent God create a rock so big He cannot lift it?” The problem is that weights and measurements pertain to the physical realm. God is Spirit and dwells in the heavenly realm, therefore the question is both foolish and irrelevant. It amplifies the ignorance of the beholder.
Jesus responded with a profound answer; “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mark 12:24)
Most theological blunders can be trace back to one of these two problems: 1) They don’t understand the Scriptures. 2) They don’t understand the power of God. Tuck His response in the back of your mind. It is fruitless arguing with people from either deficiency.
In the next few verses Jesus annulled the myth that earthly marriage relationships and procreation takes place in the next life. He also stated clearly that He is not the God of the dead but of the living. There is conscious existence after death. There is a resurrection of the dead. (Study 1 Corinthians 15:12-58)
Beware that you are not swept away by theological error. Many theologians and philosophers think logically to wrong conclusions. Study the Bible and the power and nature of God! Don’t swallow any presupposition thoughtlessly. It is a sure ticket to the wrong eternal destiny.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone