Mark 12:20

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 12:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;
Mark 12:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20There were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now there were seven brethren, etc..] In a certain family, at a certain place; perhaps at Jerusalem, who were brethren by the father's side; for such only were reckoned so, and such only did this law oblige: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed: no child: hence it is clear that the ancient Jews used the word seed, of a single person, as these Sadducees did; though modern ones deny such an use of it in our present controversies with them about the sense of (<010315>Genesis 3:15 22:18); (see Gill on “<402225>Matthew 22:25”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage fully explained in the notes at Matthew 22:23-33. Mark 12:25 Are as the angels - That is, as the angels in respect to connections and relations. What those connections and relations may be we know not, but this passage teaches that the special relation of “marriage” will not exist. It does not affirm, however, that there will be no recollection of former marriages, or no recognition of each other as having existed in this tender relation. Mark 12:26 How in the bush - At the burning bush. See Exodus 3:16. The meaning is, “in that part of the book of Exodus which contains the account of the burning bush. When there were no chapters and verses, it was the easiest way of quoting…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 22:25-28; Luk 20:29-33 Mark 12:24”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification