“When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (Mark 12:25)
Some of the Sadducees, a religious group in Jesus’ day, come to him to ask a hypothetical and bizarre question about a widow remarrying six times. Their question actually is not about this particular situation, but they want to argue that the idea of people being raised from the dead is ridiculous. However, Jesus says they are “quite wrong”. People will indeed rise from the dead, but they won’t marry or be married anymore, He explains.
This is important information for people whose spouse has died. Even though their grief may never heal completely, there may come a moment when they long for a new marriage. Or some can barely afford to stay single for the rest of their lives. Think of single mothers who are not financially independent, for example.
The Bible makes clear that a widow or widower is free to remarry. This will not lead to awkward situations on the new earth. Their new marriage does not imply unfaithfulness to their deceased husband or wife. Their second marriage is just as holy for God as their first one was! And when they finally enter God’s glory, they won’t be married to either spouse anymore, but be “like angels in heaven”.