Death, Covenants, and the Proof of Resurrection in Mark 12:18-27

Abstract

Interpretations of the resurrection proof in Mark 12:26-27a must explain the relevance of Jesus' Exod. 3:6 citation and indicate how his conclusion points to resurrection rather than immortality. Current scholarly proposals often render the proof unconvincing in its logic and incompatible with / irrelevant to other NT presentations of resurrection. This article argues instead that Jesus' proof rests on the premise - derived from the Sadducees' example of marriage - that death annuls a covenant. Since the death of the patriarchs would therefore have released God from his covenantal obligations, God's faithfulness to those obligations in the Exodus must imply the patriarchs' continuing existence and eventual resurrection. This interpretation not only shows Jesus' response to the Sadducees to be a well-reasoned, coherent whole, it also accords well with the presentation of resurrection elsewhere in the NT.