22:30a

For: This conjunction introduces the reason why the Sadducees’ question was wrong and why it shows that they did not know Scripture well.

Some versions do not translate this conjunction. For example:

At the resurrection (New International Version)
-or-
When people rise from the dead (New Century Version)

in the resurrection: The resurrection refers to the time when God will cause people who have died to live again.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

when dead people come back to life
-or-
When God raises people to life (Contemporary English Version)

This same phrase is in 22:28a. Translate it the same way in both places.

they neither marry nor are given in marriage: The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as marry refers to the action of a man who takes a woman as wife. The Greek verb that the English Standard Version translates as are given in marriage refers to the action of a father who gives his daughter to another man as his wife.

There are at least two ways to translate these clauses.

• With an active verb followed by a passive verb. For example:

men do not marry nor are women given in marriage

• With two active verbs. For example:

men do not marry nor do they give their daughters in marriage

22:30b

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what people in heaven do not do, and what they do. They do not marry. Instead they are unmarried like angels.

Here are some ways to translate this contrast:

• With the conjunction “but.”

• With a conjunction other than “but.” This is a common way in English to show this type of contrast. For example:

Rather (God’s Word)
-or-
instead
-or-
on the contrary

• With no conjunction. For example:

When God raises people to life, they won’t marry. They will be like the angels in heaven. (Contemporary English Version)

are like angels in heaven: This clause is a description of one thing about people which is like angels. It does not mean that people will be like angels in all respects. Here is another way to translate this phrase:

are like heavenly angels in this way

angels in heaven: The Greek word that the English Standard Version translates as angels means “messengers.” Here it refers to supernatural, spiritual beings who serve God. The phrase in heaven further identifies them as the angels who live with God.

The word “angel” first occurred 1:20. See the Note there for more information on translating this word.

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