Mark 12:19
New International Version
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.

New Living Translation
“Teacher, Moses gave us a law that if a man dies, leaving a wife without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.

English Standard Version
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.

Berean Standard Bible
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Berean Literal Bible
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us, that if anyone's brother should die and leave behind a wife and not leave children, that his brother should take the wife and raise up seed for his brother.

King James Bible
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 raise up seed unto his brother.

New King James Version
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.

New American Standard Bible
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves behind a wife and does not leave a child, his brother is to marry the wife and raise up children for his brother.

NASB 1995
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP CHILDREN TO HIS BROTHER.

NASB 1977
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES, and leaves behind a wife, AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD TAKE THE WIFE, AND RAISE UP OFFSPRING TO HIS BROTHER.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES and leaves behind a wife AND LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER SHOULD MARRY THE WIFE AND RAISE UP A SEED FOR HIS BROTHER.

Amplified Bible
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us [a law] that IF A MAN’S BROTHER DIES and leaves a wife BUT LEAVES NO CHILD, HIS BROTHER IS TO MARRY THE WIDOW AND RAISE UP CHILDREN FOR HIS BROTHER.

Christian Standard Bible
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife behind but no child, that man should take the wife and raise up offspring for his brother.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaves his wife behind, and leaves no child, his brother should take the wife and produce offspring for his brother.

American Standard Version
Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Contemporary English Version
Teacher, Moses wrote that if a married man dies and has no children, his brother should marry the widow. Their first son would then be thought of as the son of the dead brother.

English Revised Version
Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us, 'If a man dies and leaves a wife but no child, his brother should marry his widow and have children for his brother.'

Good News Translation
"Teacher, Moses wrote this law for us: 'If a man dies and leaves a wife but no children, that man's brother must marry the widow so that they can have children who will be considered the dead man's children.'

International Standard Version
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no child, he should marry the widow and have children for his brother.

Majority Standard Bible
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

NET Bible
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us: 'If a man' s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, that man must marry the widow and father children for his brother.'

New Heart English Bible
"Teacher, Moses wrote to us, 'If a man's brother dies, and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take the wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Master, Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother shall die, and leave his wife, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise seed to his brother.

Weymouth New Testament
"Rabbi," they said, "Moses made it a law for us: 'If a man's brother should die and leave a wife, but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up a family for his brother.'

World English Bible
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if anyone’s brother may die, and may leave a wife, and may leave no children, that his brother may take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.

Berean Literal Bible
"Teacher, Moses wrote for us, that if anyone's brother should die and leave behind a wife and not leave children, that his brother should take the wife and raise up seed for his brother.

Young's Literal Translation
'Teacher, Moses wrote to us, that if any one's brother may die, and may leave a wife, and may leave no children, that his brother may take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.

Smith's Literal Translation
Teacher, Moses wrote to us, That if any one's brother die, and leave his wife, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Master, Moses wrote unto us, that if any man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if any man’s brother will have died and left behind a wife, and not have left behind sons, his brother should take his wife to himself and should raise up offspring for his brother.

New American Bible
saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’

New Revised Standard Version
“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Teacher, Moses wrote to us, that if a man’s brother die, and leave a wife, and leave no children, his brother should take his wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies and he leaves a wife and leaves behind no sons, his brother shall take his wife and raise up seed for his brother.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If any man's brother die, and leave a wife, and leave no children, his brother shall take his wife, and raise up children for his brother.

Godbey New Testament
Teacher, Moses wrote to us, That if the brother of any man may die, and leave a wife and have no children, that his brother must take his wife and raise up seed to his brother.

Haweis New Testament
Master, Moses left it in writing for us, that if a man’s brother die, and leave a wife, and leave no children; that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.

Mace New Testament
saying, master, Moses has left it us in writing, that if a man dies, and leaves his wife without any children, his brother should marry his widow, in order to perpetuate his name.

Weymouth New Testament
"Rabbi," they said, "Moses made it a law for us: 'If a man's brother should die and leave a wife, but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up a family for his brother.'

Worrell New Testament
"Teacher, Moses wrote to us, 'If any man's brother die, and leave a wife behind, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.'

Worsley New Testament
and they asked Him, saying, Master, Moses, in his writings tells us, if any one's brother die, and leave a wife, and leave no children, that his brother shall take his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
18Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him: 19“Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him. 20Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died, leaving no children.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:5-6
When brothers dwell together and one of them dies without a son, the widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother is to take her as his wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law for her. / The first son she bears will carry on the name of the dead brother, so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

Matthew 22:24
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.

Luke 20:28
“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man is to marry his brother’s widow and raise up offspring for him.

Genesis 38:8
Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife. Perform your duty as her brother-in-law and raise up offspring for your brother.”

Ruth 4:5-10
Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi and also from Ruth the Moabitess, you must also acquire the widow of the deceased in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance.” / The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself, or I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I cannot redeem it.” / Now in former times in Israel, concerning the redemption or exchange of property, to make any matter legally binding a man would remove his sandal and give it to the other party, and this was a confirmation in Israel. ...

Numbers 27:8-11
Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. / If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. / If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. ...

Deuteronomy 25:7-10
But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” / Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,” / his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal, spit in his face, and declare, “This is what is done to the man who will not maintain his brother’s line.” ...

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.

1 Timothy 5:14
So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.

Matthew 5:31-32
It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 19:3-9
Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” / Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? ...

Luke 16:18
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:27-28
Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife. / But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.


Treasury of Scripture

Master, Moses wrote to 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 raise up seed to his brother.

If.

Genesis 38:8
And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10
If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her…

Ruth 4:5
Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

that.

Ruth 1:11-13
And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? …

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Mark 12
1. Jesus tells the parable of the tenants
13. He avoids the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Caesar;
18. convicts the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection;
28. resolves the scribe, who questioned of the first commandment;
35. refutes the opinion that the scribes held of the Christ;
38. bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hypocrisy;
41. and commends the poor widow for her two mites, above all.














Teacher
The term "Teacher" is translated from the Greek word "Διδάσκαλε" (Didaskale), which was a respectful title used for someone who was recognized as a master or instructor, particularly in religious or philosophical matters. In the context of the Gospels, it reflects the respect and authority that Jesus commanded among His followers and even those who questioned Him. This title acknowledges Jesus' role as a spiritual guide and authoritative interpreter of the Law.

Moses wrote for us
This phrase refers to the Mosaic Law, specifically the practice of levirate marriage, which is found in Deuteronomy 25:5-6. The phrase underscores the authority of Moses as the lawgiver in Jewish tradition and highlights the continuity of Jesus' teachings with the Old Testament. The use of "for us" indicates the communal and binding nature of the Law for the Jewish people, emphasizing their identity and covenant relationship with God.

if a man’s brother dies
This scenario sets the stage for the levirate marriage law, which was designed to preserve family lineage and property within the tribe. The death of a brother without offspring was a significant concern in ancient Israelite society, as it threatened the continuation of the family name and inheritance rights. This reflects the communal and familial focus of the culture, where individual identity was closely tied to family and tribal connections.

and leaves a wife but no children
The absence of children in this context is crucial, as it triggers the obligation of levirate marriage. Children were seen as a blessing and a means of continuing the family line. The lack of offspring not only posed a social and economic challenge but also a spiritual one, as it was believed to affect the deceased brother's legacy and memory. This highlights the importance of progeny in biblical times and the cultural emphasis on family continuity.

the man must marry the widow
This directive is rooted in the Hebrew practice of "yibbum," where the brother of the deceased is obligated to marry the widow. The term "must" indicates a strong cultural and legal expectation, reflecting the seriousness with which this duty was regarded. It underscores the sacrificial nature of familial obligations, where personal desires were often subordinated to communal responsibilities.

and raise up offspring for his brother
The purpose of this marriage was to produce offspring who would be considered the legal heirs of the deceased brother, thus ensuring the continuation of his name and estate. This practice reflects the deep-seated belief in the importance of legacy and the perpetuation of one's lineage. It also illustrates the interconnectedness of family and community in ancient Israel, where individual actions had broader implications for the entire clan.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Teacher,
Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1320: A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.

Moses
Μωϋσῆς (Mōusēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3475: Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.

wrote
ἔγραψεν (egrapsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

for us
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

if
ἐάν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

a man’s
τινος (tinos)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

brother
ἀδελφὸς (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

dies
ἀποθάνῃ (apothanē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

leaves
καταλίπῃ (katalipē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2641: From kata and leipo; to leave down, i.e. Behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining.

a wife
γυναῖκα (gynaika)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

no
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

children,
τέκνον (teknon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

[the man]
ἀδελφὸς (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

should marry
λάβῃ (labē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

widow
γυναῖκα (gynaika)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

raise up
ἐξαναστήσῃ (exanastēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1817: From ek and anistemi; objectively, to produce, i.e. beget; subjectively, to arise, i.e. object.

offspring
σπέρμα (sperma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4690: From speiro; something sown, i.e. Seed; by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant.

for
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

brother.
ἀδελφῷ (adelphō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.


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