And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection.

Mark 12:13-17

And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. Mark 12:18

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:18-27.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of three) division (v18-23):

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "Will There Be Sex in Heaven?" and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv18-27) is "[t]hose who are in Christ are promised a future resurrection and fullness of life in the presence of King Jesus." 
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "The Hypothetical Problem from Skeptics." 
• "The parade of opponents continues. The chief priests, scribes, and elders took their shot in 11:27–12:12 and went down in flames. The Pharisees and Herodians took Him on in 12:13-17, and He shut their mouths. Now the Sadducees come with a trick question they had probably used to frustrate the Pharisees. They will now try it out on Jesus."
• "[The Sadducees] did not believe in the immortality of the soul or in a future bodily resurrection. Josephus said, “The doctrine of the Sadducees is this: souls die with bodies” (Antiquities, 18:1, 4). Because of their truncated Scriptures, they were not looking for a Messiah King from David’s line."  
• "Their trick question was grounded in the issue of “levirate [Latin for ‘brother-in-law’] marriage” mentioned in Genesis 38:8-10 and in the book of Ruth. It is explained in Deuteronomy 25:5-6[.]"  
• "The Sadducees created what we call a reductio ad absurdum argument, reducing things to the absurd or the ridiculous."  
• "The Pharisees and most rabbis believe the world to come is basically an improved and better version of this world, which therefore would include things like marriage. Assuming monogamy (which they would have), to whom then will she be married in the world to come?  The Sadducees argue such a scenario is absurd, and it shows the foolishness of believing in a future resurrection. Look at all the problems it could potentially cause. No, God is too smart for that, and the books of Moses (which are the undisputed Word of God) do not mention a future resurrection. Therefore, it must not exist."

Yet believers know that Jesus Himself rose from the grave and for this we have assurance that the final victory over sin and death is assured.

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My Prayer:  Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is a full of incredible grace - amazing grace!  You saved me while still an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.