Luke 20:33 (KJV) states, "Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife."

This verse is part of a larger passage in the Gospel of Luke that records a confrontation between Jesus and the Sadducees, a sect of Jewish religious leaders. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and they came to Jesus with a hypothetical question about a woman who had been married to seven brothers in succession, as per the Jewish law of levirate marriage. Levirate marriage was a practice in which a man was obligated to marry the widow of his deceased brother in order to provide for her and ensure the continuation of the family line. The Sadducees, in posing this question to Jesus, were trying to trap him and prove the absurdity of the concept of resurrection.

In addressing the Sadducees, Jesus not only refutes their argument but also reveals important truths about the resurrection and the nature of marriage. He tells them that in the resurrection, people will not marry or be given in marriage, but will be like angels in heaven. This challenges the limited understanding of the afterlife that the Sadducees held and emphasizes the spiritual nature of the resurrected life.

The verse itself touches on the theme of marriage and its implications in the afterlife. The Sadducees' question serves as a platform for Jesus to teach about the transformative nature of resurrection and the way it transcends earthly relationships. By highlighting that people will not be married in the resurrection, Jesus is indicating that earthly relationships and social structures will no longer hold the same significance in the eternal realm. Instead, individuals will be focused on their relationship with God and experiencing the fullness of His kingdom.

The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its meaning. Jesus' response to the Sadducees is not only a refutation of their argument but also a revelation of the deeper spiritual truths about the resurrection. By engaging with the Sadducees on their own terms and using their hypothetical scenario, Jesus demonstrates his authority and understanding of the scriptural teachings.

The symbolism in this verse is rich and layered. The seven marriages of the hypothetical woman represent the temporal and imperfect nature of human relationships. In the Jewish culture, the number seven often symbolizes completion and fullness, which adds depth to the significance of the scenario. Through this illustration, Jesus is pointing to the limitations of earthly marriages and the transformation that takes place in the resurrection.

Furthermore, the question posed by the Sadducees highlights the tension between earthly understanding and spiritual truths. By addressing their faulty assumptions and redirecting the focus to the spiritual realm, Jesus is emphasizing the need for a deeper, faith-based understanding of the afterlife.

In conclusion, Luke 20:33 in the King James Version provides a window into the teachings of Jesus on the resurrection and the nature of earthly relationships in light of eternity. It serves as a reminder of the transformation and transcendence that occurs in the afterlife, where earthly structures and limitations are no longer relevant. This verse challenges believers to shift their focus from temporal concerns to eternal truths and seek a deeper understanding of the spiritual realities that await them in the resurrection.