Mark 12:20 web — There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

World English Bible

"There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring."

— Mark 12:20, World English Bible

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Mark 12:20 in Other Translations

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Mark 12 — Context

17

Jesus answered them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." They marveled greatly at him.

18

There came to him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection. They asked him, saying,

19

"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.'

20

There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.

21

The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise;

22

and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.

23

In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife."

Mark 12:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Mark 12:20 say?
Mark 12:20 in the World English Bible reads: “There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.”
Where is Mark 12:20 in the Bible?
Mark 12:20 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Mark, chapter 12, verse 20.
Who wrote Mark?
Mark is traditionally attributed to John Mark, companion of Peter and Paul. Early tradition (Papias, c. AD 130) reports Mark wrote down Peter's preaching. It was written c. AD 55–65.
What is the book of Mark about?
Mark is the shortest, fastest-paced Gospel — "immediately" is its favorite word. It portrays Jesus as the powerful, suffering Servant who acts, heals, casts out demons, and finally gives his life as a ransom for many. The story moves with urgency from Galilee to a cross outside Jerusalem.
What are the major themes of Mark?
Mark explores themes including Servant, Action, Suffering, Discipleship, Cross. These themes shape the meaning and context of Mark 12:20.
What translation should I read Mark 12:20 in?
Mark 12:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Mark 12:20?
Mark 12:20 reads (WEB): “There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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