Mark 12:25 - For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
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What does "Mark 12:25" mean?
Mark 12:25, "For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven," addresses a question about marriage in the resurrection. Let's break down its meaning:
"For when they will rise from the dead...": This sets the context as the resurrected state, a future existence after death.
"...they neither marry, nor are given in marriage...": This is the core point. In the resurrection, the institution of marriage as we know it on Earth will no longer exist. The customs and needs that marriage fulfills in our earthly lives (procreation, companionship, etc.) will be different or absent in the resurrected state. The verse suggests that the purpose and nature of relationships will be transformed.
"...but are like angels in heaven.": This is where interpretation gets nuanced. It doesn't mean resurrected people become angels. Rather, it uses angels as a point of comparison. Like angels, resurrected people will not be involved in marriage. It suggests a different mode of existence focused on spirituality, perhaps on a direct relationship with God. Other interpretations also state that it could be saying the resurrected will be immortal like angels.
Key Interpretations and Considerations:
Focus on Spiritual Transformation: The verse emphasizes the radical transformation that occurs in the resurrection. It's a shift from earthly concerns to a more spiritual existence.
Continuity vs. Discontinuity: This passage has led to discussions about the continuity between our earthly lives and the afterlife. While we retain our identities (as evidenced by the resurrection itself), certain aspects of our earthly existence will be fundamentally different.
Misconceptions about Heaven: Some mistakenly interpret this verse as implying that heaven is a lonely or undesirable place because marriage is absent. However, this interpretation misses the point that the resurrected state will be superior and filled with joys and relationships beyond our current comprehension.
Answering the Sadducees' Question: It's crucial to remember the context. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, posed a tricky question about a woman who had been married to seven brothers (according to Mosaic Law). Jesus' response challenges their assumptions about the afterlife and highlights the limitations of applying earthly rules to the resurrected state.
In summary, Mark 12:25 teaches that marriage, as a social and procreative institution, is a feature of our earthly life but will not be present in the resurrected state. Instead, resurrected people will experience a transformed existence, likened to that of angels, focused on a closer relationship with God and a higher spiritual purpose.
Mark 12:25 - For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
What does "Mark 12:25" mean?
Mark 12:25, "For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven," addresses a question about marriage in the resurrection. Let's break down its meaning:
"For when they will rise from the dead...": This sets the context as the resurrected state, a future existence after death.
"...they neither marry, nor are given in marriage...": This is the core point. In the resurrection, the institution of marriage as we know it on Earth will no longer exist. The customs and needs that marriage fulfills in our earthly lives (procreation, companionship, etc.) will be different or absent in the resurrected state. The verse suggests that the purpose and nature of relationships will be transformed.
"...but are like angels in heaven.": This is where interpretation gets nuanced. It doesn't mean resurrected people become angels. Rather, it uses angels as a point of comparison. Like angels, resurrected people will not be involved in marriage. It suggests a different mode of existence focused on spirituality, perhaps on a direct relationship with God. Other interpretations also state that it could be saying the resurrected will be immortal like angels.
Key Interpretations and Considerations:
Focus on Spiritual Transformation: The verse emphasizes the radical transformation that occurs in the resurrection. It's a shift from earthly concerns to a more spiritual existence.
Continuity vs. Discontinuity: This passage has led to discussions about the continuity between our earthly lives and the afterlife. While we retain our identities (as evidenced by the resurrection itself), certain aspects of our earthly existence will be fundamentally different.
Misconceptions about Heaven: Some mistakenly interpret this verse as implying that heaven is a lonely or undesirable place because marriage is absent. However, this interpretation misses the point that the resurrected state will be superior and filled with joys and relationships beyond our current comprehension.
Answering the Sadducees' Question: It's crucial to remember the context. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, posed a tricky question about a woman who had been married to seven brothers (according to Mosaic Law). Jesus' response challenges their assumptions about the afterlife and highlights the limitations of applying earthly rules to the resurrected state.
In summary, Mark 12:25 teaches that marriage, as a social and procreative institution, is a feature of our earthly life but will not be present in the resurrected state. Instead, resurrected people will experience a transformed existence, likened to that of angels, focused on a closer relationship with God and a higher spiritual purpose.