Mark 12:20

20 There were once seven brothers, the eldest of whom married a wife, but at his death left no family.

Mark 12:20 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 12:20

Now there were seven brethren
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 ( Genesis 3:15 ) ( 22:18 ) ; (See Gill on Matthew 22:25).

Mark 12:20 In-Context

18 Then came to Him a party of Sadducees, a sect which denies that there is any Resurrection; and they proceeded to question Him.

19 "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.'

20 There were once seven brothers, the eldest of whom married a wife, but at his death left no family.

21 The second married her, and died, leaving no family; and the third did the same.

22 And so did the rest of the seven, all dying childless. Finally the woman also died.