Mark 12:21

Arabic SVD 1865 Version (Smith and Van Dyke)

فاخذها الثاني ومات ولم يترك هو ايضا نسلا. وهكذا الثالث.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Mark 12 describes a situation where the second brother also marries the same woman, dies without having children, and the third brother does the same. It's part of Jesus' story about a woman who married seven brothers one after another.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you had seven friends in a game, and each friend borrowed your toy one by one. Each time they borrow it, something happens to them, but the toy stays the same. This is like that, except with marriage.

Historical Background

The verse was written by Mark around 65-70 AD. It's part of a story told by Jesus to explain about life after death and who will be married in heaven. The audience likely included both Jews and Gentiles familiar with Jewish customs and beliefs.

Living It Out Today

Today, this can remind us that societal norms and laws change over time, but God’s view on marriage and relationships remains constant. For example, a couple might consider how their commitment impacts their family legacy beyond just having children.

Topics

• marriage
• eternity
• life after death
• family legacy
• societal norms
• commitment

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 25:5
• Matthew 22:23-30
• Luke 20:27-40
• 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
• Ephesians 5:22-33

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Jesus trying to explain with this story?

Jesus used this story to clarify a misunderstanding about resurrection, emphasizing that life after death is not bound by earthly rules like marriage.

Why did all the brothers die without children?

The lack of offspring may symbolize the futility of relying solely on physical lineage and points towards God’s broader plan beyond human understanding.

How does this relate to our understanding of family today?

It encourages us to look beyond biological ties, recognizing spiritual families and legacies that extend into eternity.

What can we learn about commitment from this story?

Commitment in marriage is deeper than just the physical union; it’s about a bond that transcends earthly life and includes a spiritual dimension.