Chapter 129: The question of resurrection

1 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say the resurrection is just punishment; and they asked him, saying, 2 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and protect her, even unto his risen brother.

3 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 4 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 5 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.

6 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, where shall the wife find a protector among them? for the seven had her to wife.

7 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 8 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the beasts which hunt in packs.

9 And as the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? 10 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

11 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

12 Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. 13 And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.