Marriage at the Resurrection
I’ve been studying Matthew 22:23-33 and I’m curious how pastors/theologians here would respond to an interpretation I’ve been considering regarding marriage after the resurrection.
Jesus says that in the resurrection people “neither marry nor are given in marriage.” Most Christians seem to interpret this as meaning no marriages continue in heaven at all.
But I’m wondering if Jesus may specifically be addressing:
- people who had already died (thus their marriages had ended), and
- the fact that no NEW marriages will occur after the resurrection.
Here’s why I’m questioning the traditional interpretation:
- Scripture consistently teaches that death ends marriage (Romans 7:2), but Paul also says not all believers will “sleep” before glorification (1 Corinthians 15:51).
- So what about married couples who are still alive at Christ’s return and are transformed without experiencing death?
- If marriage is a covenant established by God and husband/wife become “one flesh,” why assume that covenant is dissolved if death never actually severed it?
- Jesus says people will not “marry” or be “given in marriage,” but He does not explicitly say all existing marriages are abolished.
I understand the standard argument that resurrection life transcends earthly institutions, but I’m trying to determine whether Scripture explicitly teaches the dissolution of already-existing marriages that remain intact at the resurrection.
Am I missing a major exegetical or theological issue with this interpretation?