Book of Mark - Chapter 12 - Verse 21

The verse "And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise." is found in the Bible in the book of Mark, chapter 12, verse 21. This verse is part of a passage where Jesus is addressing a question posed by the Sadducees about marriage and resurrection. The verse refers to a hypothetical scenario where a woman is married to three different brothers after the death of each previous husband, but none of the marriages produced any children. In Jewish law, if a man died without leaving any children, his brother was instructed to marry the widow in order to produce an heir. However, this verse illustrates that sometimes even this practice did not result in offspring. This story serves as a teaching moment for Jesus, highlighting the limitations of the human understanding of marriage and the afterlife, and emphasizing the importance of faith in God's plan for the future.

In this verse, we see a reference to the ancient practice of levirate marriage, where if a man dies without leaving an heir, his brother is expected to marry the widow in order to produce offspring to carry on the deceased brother's name and inheritance. In this particular case, the first brother marries the widow but dies without leaving any children. The second brother then follows suit but also dies childless. The pattern continues with the third brother. This practice was seen as a way to continue the family line and ensure the widow's security, but it also raises questions about the nature of marriage and the obligations of family members to one another. The theological interpretation of this verse could focus on themes of duty, responsibility, and the complexities of human relationships. It serves as a reminder of the ways in which social customs and traditions can intersect with theological principles in the biblical narrative.