20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children.
20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring.
20 Well, there once were seven brothers. The first took a wife. He died childless.
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring.
20 Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 12:20
Commentary on Mark 12:18-27
(Read Mark 12:18-27)
A right knowledge of the Scripture, as the fountain whence all revealed religion now flows, and the foundation on which it is built, is the best preservative against error. Christ put aside the objection of the Sadducees, who were the scoffing infidels of that day, by setting the doctrine of the future state in a true light. The relation between husband and wife, though appointed in the earthly paradise, will not be known in the heavenly one. It is no wonder if we confuse ourselves with foolish errors, when we form our ideas of the world of spirits by the affairs of this world of sense. It is absurd to think that the living God should be the portion and happiness of a man if he is for ever dead; and therefore it is certain that Abraham's soul exists and acts, though now for a time separate from the body. Those that deny the resurrection greatly err, and ought to be told so. Let us seek to pass through this dying world, with a joyful hope of eternal happiness, and of a glorious resurrection.