The topic of marriage in heaven is an interesting one that many people wonder about. Jesus addresses this directly in Matthew 22:30, stating that “in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” This verse provides important insight into the nature of relationships in the afterlife.
To fully understand this teaching, it is helpful to look at the context. In Matthew 22, Jesus is responding to a question from the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection. They pose a hypothetical situation to Jesus about a woman who was married multiple times in her life due to the death of her husbands. “In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?” they ask. Jesus responds by stating that their error is in misunderstanding the Scriptures and the power of God regarding the resurrection and eternal life (Matthew 22:29).
Jesus then explains that human earthly institutions like marriage are part of this temporal life only. In heaven, relationships will be different—people will be “like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). What does Jesus mean by this? Let’s explore a few key points:
1. Eternal life is different than earthly life
Jesus is making a clear distinction between human relationships in our current earthly experience and relationships in the resurrection life to come. Earthly marriages are a part of temporary human culture and social norms. Eternal life in heaven, however, is different. The resurrection represents a new type of life and relationships.
This teaching echoes what Jesus says earlier in Matthew 22: “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (v. 29). The Sadducees had an overly earthly view of the resurrection, assuming it was just a continuation of mortal life. Jesus is revealing a higher spiritual truth—that eternal life is so radically different than our current experience that human institutions like marriage no longer define relationships.
2. Heavenly relationships are more complete and perfect
When Jesus says resurrected people will be “like the angels in heaven,” this means they will be immortal and no longer defined by human structures. Angels do not have biological sex or reproductive capabilities. Their relationships are purely spiritual. So too for resurrected believers, whose primary relationship will be with God. Earthly marriages are temporary shadows of the perfect union between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). In heaven, this eternal spiritual marriage will be the defining relationship.
This does not negate marriage’s importance. Scripture celebrates marital love and fidelity (Hebrews 13:4; Ephesians 5; Song of Songs). However, even the best marriage on earth is only a partial glimpse of the perfect intimacy believers will experience eternally in Christ. In resurrection life, our earthly bonds are subsumed into spiritual fullness.
3. Heavenly relationships will be greater than family ties
Jesus explains that resurrected believers will be “sons of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36). This indicates that our primary family identity will be as children of God. Earthly family ties, while important here, are temporary and give way to eternal spiritual belonging in God’s kingdom.
This elevating of heavenly relationships above earthly ones aligns with Jesus’ other teachings. “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50). Our spiritual bonds in Christ will be far more profound than familial relationships today. The entire church will be our family.
4. Focus is on unbroken intimacy with God
In heaven, God’s presence will be fully manifested. The spiritual intimacy we can only glimpse now will be made complete. Just as marriage illustrates Christ’s relationship to the church, being “married” to Jesus is the eternal bond we will all experience forever. Earthly marriages are not needed in heaven because we will be intimately joined to the Bridegroom eternally.
Paul echoes this, stating that “the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). Heaven is about wholehearted devoted love to God and other believers. Marriage illustrates gospel truths but is superseded by immutable spiritual realities.
5. Human gender and sexuality are temporary
Genesis states that God created mankind “male and female” (Genesis 1:27) and this gendered distinction is part of earthly life. However, Scripture hints at a future state when human sexuality as we know it will no longer exist. Jesus tells us we will be like the angels in that regard (Matthew 22:30). Gender and sexuality are attributes of temporary earthly embodiment, not eternal spirit.
This is why Paul says followers of Christ should view all relationships, including marriage, “as though they had none” (1 Corinthians 7:29). All human institutions and roles are for this age only. Our eternal identity in Christ transcends them.
6. The emphasis is on spiritual life and connection
The bible’s description of heaven focuses far more on the spiritual reality of being in God’s presence, worshipping Christ, and experiencing immortal Life. While we cannot envision exactly what this will be like, it is clear that our spirit will be made perfect, in joyous relationship with God. Marriage is never mentioned in lists of what awaits believers (ex. Revelation 21-22). The marriage supper of the Lamb expresses eternal intimacy with Christ in metaphor. But earthly marriage is not needed or present in literal form.
This spiritual emphasis does not make marriage unimportant. However, it does show that all earthly relationships find their true meaning and fulfillment in spiritual connection to God. Marriage nurtures love on earth but in heaven, divine love is our sole sustenance.
7. Christ is the focal relationship
As mentioned, the consummate marriage between Christ, the bridegroom, and the church as his bride is a central metaphor in Scripture (Ephesians 5:22-33, Revelation 19:7). This illustrates that the most vital relationship for redeemed believers is their spiritual union with their Savior. All other earthly bonds pale in comparison.
In heaven, Christ will be the undisputed center. Our experiential knowledge of Him will eclipse all else. We will need nothing but that eternal loving communion born of resurrected Life in His presence. All relationships will blossom in and through connection to Him.
8. Marriage’s earthly purposes are complete
Marriage serves important social and spiritual purposes in this age that may be fulfilled in resurrection life:
- Companionship – we will enjoy fellowship with all believers
- Procreation – no death so no need for reproduction
- Sexual intimacy – transformed into spiritual intimacy
- Spiritual growth – matured fully in God’s presence
Earthly marriage is an institution specially designed for this temporal existence. In resurrection, having served its purposes for this age, it passes away.
9. Heaven’s joy surpasses earthly marriage’s
Jesus’ first miracle was adding to the joy of a wedding celebration (John 2:1-12). Marriage brings great joy. However, Jesus also said there is no marriage in heaven. This means the joy believers will experience there far surpasses the best of earthly relationships. As great as marriage can be, heaven’s glory eclipses it.
CS Lewis imagined this well in The Great Divorce. A ghost still fixated on his earthly marriage cannot yet see the far deeper eternal joys awaiting him. The brightness of heaven outshines any earthly delight. So too for marriage.
10. Yearning for earthly marriage may signal improper perspective
Wanting to be married in heaven could imply an improper attachment to earthly things versus heavenly glories. Paul warns against over-investing in relationships and roles that are passing away (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). Misplaced longing for marriage in heaven can reflect love of temporal comforts versus eternal verities.
As elders in heaven, we may have memory of earthly relationships that helped bring us there. But immortal life in God’s presence will be so overwhelmingly glorious that marriage will pale in comparison. Our eternal joy will be full; we will lack nothing.
11. Marriage illustrates Christ’s love; it does not constitute heavenly life
Earthly marriage was instituted by God to create family, nurture love, illustrate spiritual truths, provide companionship and intimacy, and propagate children. It beautifully reflects aspects of Christ’s covenant relationship with His people. But it is a metaphor, not the ultimate reality.
In resurrection, the metaphor gives way to the eternal spiritual marriage of the Lamb and His Bride. The shadow is replaced by the substance. Earthly marriage is a signpost pointing to something greater, not an end in itself. It is a concept nested in temporal culture, not an eternal state.
12. The emphasis is on oneness, not formal roles
Marriage requires defined roles and norms to function in earthly society and culture. However, in the resurrection we will experience perfect intimacy and union with God and fellow believers. This unity surpasses defined roles and ritual forms. We will share in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), perfectly loving and knowing even as we are fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12).
If no slave or free, Jew or Greek, male or female in Christ (Galatians 3:28), neither will there be husbands or wives. Perfect intimacy and love apart from formal roles like marriage is the promise of heaven.
13. Harmony with God’s design
Jesus’ teaching that there is no marriage in heaven aligns with Eden before the Fall. God did not institute marriage until Genesis 2. Pre-Fall humans enjoyed perfect communion without it or its accompanying norms. So too for the resurrection state, which restores Eden’s sinless harmony with God’s design.
Marriage and sexuality were part of God’s plan to propagate families after the Fall. They address post-Fall realities. But in the resurrection, Christ’s redemption restores us to an even greater state of intimacy and harmony than Eden. We return full circle to complete spiritual union.
14. Marriage’s absence in heaven is not a negation of blessings
Since marriage is a profoundly holy and positive institution, it may seem like its absence in heaven implies a lack. However, this stems from a limited earthbound view. Just as a child matures from the blessings of parental care to greater freedom and identity, so too our relationships transition from temporal blessings to eternal glory.
Heaven’s relationships will fulfill the purpose marriage serves temporarily on earth: companionship, family, love. But these will be perfectly fulfilled in Christ and the church family. We will not feel the lack of anything.
15. Celibacy also has higher eternal purpose
Jesus upholds celibacy alongside marriage in Matthew 19:12. This reveals that human marriage has temporal, not ultimate, importance. Paul too extols singleness for its freedom in serving Christ without distraction (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Just as marriage illustrates Christ’s relationship to the church, celibacy’s singular devotion illustrates our eternal union with God.
Both marriage and celibacy have metaphorical value for this age. But the eternal state of heavenly intimacy and community make them obsolete. All believers will share perfect union and family.
In conclusion, Jesus’ teaching that there is no marriage in heaven provides a helpful reminder that earthly institutions like marriage, while very good and godly, are temporal shadows of greater eternal realities. In the resurrection, we will experience perfect loving communion with God, unmediated by the rituals, roles, and relationships of this life. We will be the bride of Christ, sharing joyous intimacy forever with Him and all the saints. Marriage’s purposes are fulfilled in God’s eternal kingdom of everlasting Life, Light and Love.