Bible Mysteries: Will There Be Marriage in Heaven?

What does the Bible say about marriage in heaven?

As we contemplate the mysteries of eternal life, we must approach Scripture with both reverence and nuanced understanding. The Bible offers us glimpses of the heavenly realm, yet much remains veiled from our earthly comprehension.

When it comes to marriage in heaven, we find Jesus addressing this very question in the Gospels. In Matthew 19:4-6, our Lord affirms the sanctity of marriage, stating that “what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Yet later, in Matthew 22:30, he tells us, “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”(Nyarko, 2023; Wei, 2023)

This seeming paradox invites us to deeper reflection. Marriage, as we know it on earth, is a temporal institution – a sacred covenant, yes, but one designed for our earthly journey. In heaven, our relationships will be transformed and elevated beyond what we can now imagine.

The Apostle Paul offers further insight in 1 Corinthians 7, where he speaks of marriage as good, but singleness as preferable for devoted service to God. He reminds us that “this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor 7:31). Our ultimate fulfillment comes not from human partnerships, but from perfect union with God.(Thatcher, 2021, pp. 420–427)

Yet we must not conclude that heavenly existence will be devoid of the love and intimacy we cherish in marriage. Rather, Scripture points to a more powerful communion – the marriage supper of the Lamb described in Revelation 19, where Christ is united with his Bride, the Church. This celestial wedding feast symbolizes the perfect love, joy and unity we will experience in God’s presence.(Ice, 2009)

I recognize how deeply intertwined our sense of identity and belonging is with our closest relationships. The Bible’s teachings on heavenly existence challenge us to expand our understanding of love and connection beyond earthly bounds. They invite us to cultivate a relationship with God that transcends all others.

Historically, Christian thinkers have grappled with these passages for centuries. St. Augustine proposed that marital love would be transformed in heaven into a higher form of spiritual friendship. Thomas Aquinas suggested that Although the marital bond would cease, the love between spouses would remain and be perfected.

Scripture teaches us that Although the earthly institution of marriage will not continue in heaven, the love, intimacy and unity it represents will be fulfilled in ways beyond our current understanding. Our challenge is to live our present relationships in light of this eternal perspective.

Will married couples still be together in heaven?

This question touches the deepest longings of our hearts. The bonds of love we form in marriage are among the most powerful experiences of our earthly lives. It is natural to wonder about their eternal significance.

While Scripture does not provide an explicit answer, we can draw insights from Jesus’ teachings and the broader biblical narrative. As we discussed, Jesus tells us that in the resurrection, people “neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Mark 12:25). This suggests a transformation of our earthly relationships, but not necessarily their dissolution.(Nyarko, 2023)

Consider the rich symbolism of marriage throughout Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the marital union serves as a metaphor for God’s covenant relationship with His people. In Ephesians 5, Paul describes marriage as a powerful mystery that points to Christ and the Church. These images suggest that the essence of marital love – self-giving, intimacy, and unity – will find its ultimate fulfillment in our relationship with God and the entire communion of saints.(Thatcher, 2021, pp. 420–427)

As a student of psychology, I recognize the deep emotional and psychological bonds formed in marriage. These connections shape our very identities. It would seem incongruous with God’s nature of love to simply erase such major aspects of our personhood in eternity. Rather, we might anticipate that these bonds are purified and elevated in heaven.

Historically, Christian thinkers have offered various perspectives. St. Augustine suggested that in heaven, we will love everyone perfectly, but will retain special affection for those we loved on earth. St. Thomas Aquinas proposed that Although the marital bond itself may cease, the love between spouses would endure and be perfected.

Our heavenly existence will be characterized by perfect communion with God and with one another. The exclusivity of earthly marriage gives way to an all-encompassing love. As Jesus taught, we will be “like the angels” – fully devoted to God and in harmony with all the redeemed.(Nyarko, 2023)

This does not mean we will lose our unique relationships. Rather, they will be transformed and integrated into the greater reality of God’s love. We might think of it as concentric circles of love – our spouse and family in the innermost circles, but with our capacity for love expanded to embrace all in a way that does not diminish our special bonds.

We must trust in God’s goodness and wisdom. The One who instituted marriage and blessed our unions will surely preserve and perfect all that is good, beautiful, and loving in our relationships. Although the exact nature of our heavenly connections remains a mystery, we can be confident that in God’s presence, we will experience the fullness of love and communion beyond anything we can now imagine.

How will relationships change in heaven?

In heaven, our relationships will be fundamentally altered by our perfect communion with God. As St. Augustine beautifully expressed, our hearts are restless until they rest in God. In the divine presence, we will experience a love so powerful and all-encompassing that it will reorient all our other relationships.(Thatcher, 2021, pp. 420–427)

The exclusivity that characterizes many of our earthly bonds – particularly marriage – will give way to a more expansive love. Jesus tells us we will be “like the angels” (Matthew 22:30), suggesting a state of being wholly devoted to God and in perfect harmony with all the redeemed. This does not mean our earthly relationships lose significance, but rather that they are integrated into a greater tapestry of love.(Nyarko, 2023)

Psychologically we might consider how our attachments and relational patterns will be healed and perfected. The insecurities, jealousies, and fears that often mar human relationships will be dissolved in the light of God’s perfect love. Our capacity for empathy, compassion, and understanding will be magnified beyond our current imagination.

Historically, Christian mystics and theologians have described heaven as a state of perfect unity in diversity. St. Paul gives us a glimpse of this in 1 Corinthians 13:12, saying “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” This suggests a depth of mutual understanding and recognition that surpasses our earthly experience.(Thatcher, 2021, pp. 420–427)

In heaven, our relationships will no longer be constrained by time, physical distance, or the limitations of our fallen nature. We will be free to love fully and purely, without fear of loss or betrayal. The barriers that often separate us on earth – cultural differences, language, misunderstandings – will be overcome as we are united in Christ.

Yet, this unity does not mean uniformity or loss of individual identity. Rather, in God’s presence, we will become most fully ourselves, our unique gifts and personalities refined and glorified. Our relationships will reflect this, celebrating the distinct beauty of each soul while rejoicing in our shared communion.

We might imagine heaven as an eternal dance of love – a constant giving and receiving, where each relationship enhances rather than competes with the others. The love between spouses, the bonds of family, the joys of friendship – all these will find their place in the greater symphony of divine love.

Will we recognize our spouses in heaven?

This question touches the very core of our human experience – the deep bonds of love and recognition that define our closest relationships. As we contemplate the mysteries of eternal life, we must approach this inquiry with both hope and humility, recognizing the limitations of our earthly understanding.

The Scriptures, while not providing an explicit answer, offer us powerful insights that can guide our reflection. In the Gospel of Luke, we find Jesus’ resurrected body recognized by his disciples, albeit sometimes after an initial moment of confusion (Luke 24:31). This suggests a continuity of identity in our resurrected state, even as we are transformed.(Nyarko, 2023)

In the account of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8), the disciples recognize Moses and Elijah, who lived centuries before. This implies that in heaven, we may have a supernatural ability to recognize and know one another, transcending the limitations of our earthly experience.

Psychologically we must consider the powerful impact our major relationships have on our identity formation. Our spouses, in many ways, become part of who we are. It would seem incongruous with God’s nature of love to erase such integral aspects of our personhood in eternity.

Historically, Christian thinkers have grappled with this question. St. Augustine, in his work “The City of God,” proposed that we will recognize and remember our loved ones in heaven, but that our love for them will be transformed and perfected in God’s presence. St. Thomas Aquinas similarly argued for the persistence of recognition and affection, albeit in a purified form.

Our heavenly existence will be characterized by a perfect knowledge that surpasses our current understanding. As St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” This suggests a depth of mutual recognition and understanding that far exceeds our earthly experience.(Thatcher, 2021, pp. 420–427)

But we must also remember Jesus’ teaching that in heaven we will be “like the angels” (Matthew 22:30). This indicates a transformation of our relationships, where the exclusivity of marriage gives way to a more universal love. Yet this need not negate the special bonds we’ve formed on earth. Rather, these relationships may be integrated into the greater reality of God’s all-encompassing love.(Nyarko, 2023)

Although we cannot know with certainty the exact nature of heavenly recognition, we can trust in God’s goodness and wisdom. The One who created us, who knows us intimately, and who blessed our unions, will surely preserve all that is good, beautiful, and loving in our relationships.

What did Jesus teach about marriage in the afterlife?

The most direct teaching of Jesus on this matter is found in His response to the Sadducees’ question about marriage in the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 20:27-40). The Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection, presented Jesus with a hypothetical scenario of a woman who had been married to seven brothers in succession. They asked, “In the resurrection, whose wife will she be?”(Nyarko, 2023; Thatcher, 2021, pp. 420–427)

Jesus’ response is both enlightening and challenging. He said, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:29-30). This teaching invites us to reconsider our understanding of heavenly existence and relationships.(Nyarko, 2023)

Jesus affirms the reality of resurrection, countering the Sadducees’ disbelief. He then reveals that the institution of marriage, as we know it on earth, will not continue in heaven. This does not diminish the sanctity of marriage, which Jesus strongly affirmed elsewhere (Matthew 19:4-6), but rather points to a transformation of relationships in the eternal realm.

Psychologically we might understand this as an elevation of human relationships beyond the exclusivity and possessiveness that often characterize earthly marriages. In heaven, our capacity for love and connection will be expanded, not diminished.

Historically, this teaching has been interpreted in various ways. Some early Church Fathers, like Tertullian, saw it as an affirmation of the superiority of celibacy. Others, like Augustine, understood it to mean that the spiritual union symbolized by marriage would find its fulfillment in our perfect union with God.

Jesus’ comparison of the resurrected to angels is major. Angels in Jewish and Christian tradition are beings wholly devoted to God, existing in perfect communion with Him and each other. This suggests that in heaven, our relationships will be characterized by a purity of love and purpose that transcends earthly bonds.

But we must not conclude that this means a loss of the love and intimacy we cherish in marriage. Rather, Jesus’ teaching points to a perfection and universalization of these qualities. The exclusive love between spouses becomes part of an all-encompassing love that unites all the redeemed in God’s presence.

Jesus does not say we will become angels, but that we will be “like” angels. This implies a transformation of our nature while retaining our human identity. The love and connections formed on earth are not erased but elevated and integrated into the greater reality of God’s kingdom.

Jesus teaches us that the purpose and meaning of marriage find their ultimate fulfillment in the perfect communion of heaven. The intimacy, fidelity, and self-giving love that marriage at its best represents become universal realities in God’s presence.

How does eternal life affect earthly marriages?

Eternal life reminds us that earthly marriage, while beautiful and meaningful, is not an end in itself, but rather a means of sanctification and a sign of God’s love. As St. Augustine wisely observed, our restless hearts find true peace only in God (Meconi, 2014, pp. 58–76). This eternal perspective can deepen marital love, freeing spouses from unrealistic expectations of perfect fulfillment from one another. Instead, they may support each other’s spiritual growth, recognizing that their ultimate completion lies in God alone.

The reality of eternal life calls married couples to a higher purpose – to help one another and their children grow in holiness and draw closer to God. The sacrament of marriage becomes a path of discipleship, where spouses learn to love as Christ loves the Church (Dudziak, 2022). This sacrificial love, modeled on Christ’s own sacrifice, prepares us for the perfect love we will experience in heaven.

At the same time, the promise of eternity can bring comfort in times of marital struggle or loss. While earthly marriages may face challenges or be cut short by death, we trust in God’s eternal love and the hope of heavenly reunion. This hope does not diminish the pain of separation, but it offers solace and strength to persevere in faith.

Eternal life reminds us that marriage is a precious but temporary gift. As Jesus taught, in the resurrection we “neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Matthew 22:30) (Makujina, 2015). This does not negate the value of earthly marriage, but rather points to its fulfillment in the perfect communion we will share with God and one another in heaven. Let us cherish our marriages as beautiful reflections of divine love, always oriented toward our eternal destiny.

Will there be new marriages in heaven?

Jesus, when questioned about marriage in the resurrection, stated that people “neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Matthew 22:30) (Makujina, 2015). This suggests that the institution of marriage as we know it on earth will not continue in heaven. But we must be careful not to interpret this as a diminishment of the relationships we cherish.

In heaven, our relationships will be transformed and perfected, transcending the limitations of earthly bonds. The love we experience will be more powerful and all-encompassing than anything we can imagine in our current state. As St. Augustine beautifully expressed, our hearts will find their true rest in God, and through Him, we will love one another with a pure and perfect love (Meconi, 2014, pp. 58–76).

While new marriages in the earthly sense may not occur, we can anticipate new and deepened relationships in heaven. The communion of saints suggests a vast web of connections among the redeemed, united in their love for God and one another. These heavenly relationships will likely surpass our earthly understanding of marriage, reflecting the perfect unity and love of the Trinity.

The absence of new marriages in heaven does not diminish the value of earthly marriage. Rather, it points to the fulfillment of what marriage symbolizes – the intimate union between Christ and His Church. In heaven, we will all participate in this perfect union, experiencing a love that surpasses even the deepest marital bond.

I would add that this understanding can bring comfort to those who have not found earthly marriage or have experienced loss. In heaven, no one will be lonely or unfulfilled. Each person will be perfectly loved and will love perfectly in return, experiencing the joy of intimate communion with God and the entire heavenly community.

What did the Church Fathers teach about marriage in heaven?

The teachings of the Church Fathers on marriage in heaven offer us powerful insights into the nature of eternal life and the purpose of earthly marriage. Their reflections, rooted in Scripture and deep contemplation, help illuminate this mystery for us today.

St. Augustine, one of the most influential Church Fathers, addressed this question extensively. He understood earthly marriage as a symbol pointing towards our ultimate union with God. Augustine taught that in heaven, the love between spouses would be perfected and purified, transcending physical desires. He wrote, “In that heavenly city, there will be no marrying or giving in marriage, but all will be as the angels of God” (Meconi, 2014, pp. 58–76). This echoes Christ’s words in the Gospels, emphasizing a transformation of relationships in eternity.

Other Church Fathers, such as St. John Chrysostom, emphasized the spiritual nature of heavenly existence. They taught that while earthly marriage serves important purposes – including procreation and mutual support – these needs would no longer exist in heaven. Instead, our relationships would be characterized by perfect spiritual communion (Климов, 2022).

The Cappadocian Fathers, particularly St. Gregory of Nyssa, saw marriage as a means of spiritual growth and preparation for heavenly life. They taught that the love and self-sacrifice learned in marriage could help purify the soul for its eternal destiny. But they maintained that this earthly bond would be superseded by a more perfect union in heaven (Towards a Trinitarian Understanding of Marriage : How Might the Unity of Persons in Communion Help Rediscover the Principles of Christian Marriage ?, 2020).

The Church Fathers consistently affirmed the goodness and sanctity of marriage. They did not see its absence in heaven as a loss, but rather as a fulfillment. St. Ambrose wrote that in heaven, “The bond of love will be stronger because it will be purer” (Towards a Trinitarian Understanding of Marriage : How Might the Unity of Persons in Communion Help Rediscover the Principles of Christian Marriage ?, 2020).

The Fathers also addressed concerns about the continuity of relationships in heaven. While they taught that marriage as an institution would not continue, they affirmed that the love between spouses would endure and be perfected. St. Jerome wrote, “In heaven, we shall recognize one another, but with a spiritual, not a carnal, recognition” (Towards a Trinitarian Understanding of Marriage : How Might the Unity of Persons in Communion Help Rediscover the Principles of Christian Marriage ?, 2020).

The Church Fathers taught that marriage in heaven would be transformed into a higher form of spiritual communion. They saw earthly marriage as a sacred preparation for the perfect unity we will experience with God and one another in eternity. This understanding can deepen our appreciation for marriage while orienting us towards our ultimate heavenly destiny.

How should the idea of heavenly relationships affect our earthly marriages?

The concept of heavenly relationships should profoundly shape our approach to earthly marriages, inspiring us to live out our marital vows with greater love, purpose, and eternal perspective.

Understanding that our earthly marriages are a preparation for heavenly communion should motivate us to prioritize spiritual growth within our relationships. As spouses, we are called to help one another grow in holiness, to be instruments of God’s grace in each other’s lives. This means fostering an environment of prayer, forgiveness, and mutual encouragement in faith. By doing so, we align our marriages with their ultimate purpose – to draw us closer to God and to prepare us for eternal life (Dudziak, 2022).

The knowledge that earthly marriage is temporary should free us from unrealistic expectations of perfect fulfillment from our spouses. While marital love is a beautiful gift, it is not meant to satisfy our deepest longings – only God can do that. This realization can relieve pressure on our relationships and allow us to love more freely and selflessly, knowing that our ultimate completion is found in Christ (Meconi, 2014, pp. 58–76).

At the same time, the promise of perfected relationships in heaven should inspire us to strive for deeper intimacy and understanding in our marriages now. If we will know and love each other more perfectly in eternity, let us begin that journey here on earth. This means investing time and effort in communication, empathy, and mutual support, always seeking to grow in love and unity (Lee & Choi, 2022).

The idea of heavenly relationships should also remind us of the sacramental nature of marriage. Our unions are meant to be visible signs of Christ’s love for the Church. By striving to love our spouses with patience, kindness, and self-sacrifice, we bear witness to this divine love and prepare ourselves for the perfect communion of heaven (PÅ™ibyl, 2023).

Contemplating heavenly relationships can bring comfort and hope in times of marital difficulty. When we face conflicts or disappointments, we can take heart in knowing that these challenges are temporary and that God is using them to refine us for eternity. This perspective can give us the strength to persevere in love, even when it is difficult (Artemi, 2022).

Finally, the reality of heaven should inspire us to extend our marital love outward. If in eternity we will love all with a perfect love, let us begin to practice that expansive love allowing our marriages to be sources of blessing and welcome to others.

The idea of heavenly relationships calls us to live our marriages with one foot on earth and one in eternity – cherishing the gift of marital love while always orienting ourselves and our spouses towards our ultimate home in God’s presence.

Will family bonds continue in heaven?

We must recognize that in heaven, our primary relationship will be with God. As Jesus taught, we will be “like the angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30), suggesting a transformation of earthly relationships (Makujina, 2015). But this does not mean the dissolution of the love and connections we’ve formed on earth. Rather, these bonds will likely be purified and elevated.

The communion of a fundamental belief of our faith, suggests that relationships continue beyond death. This communion implies a deep, spiritual connection among all the redeemed. In this light, we can hope that family bonds will not only continue but be enhanced in heaven, freed from earthly limitations and imperfections (Towards a Trinitarian Understanding of Marriage : How Might the Unity of Persons in Communion Help Rediscover the Principles of Christian Marriage ?, 2020).

It’s important to understand that heavenly relationships will transcend our earthly concepts of family. In eternity, we will be part of God’s family, where love is perfect and universal. As St. Augustine beautifully expressed, our hearts will find true rest in God, and through Him, we will love everyone with a pure and perfect love (Meconi, 2014, pp. 58–76). This doesn’t diminish our earthly family bonds but expands our capacity for love to embrace the entire heavenly community.

Psychologically we can consider how family relationships shape our identities and emotional lives. These formative bonds contribute to who we are as individuals. In heaven, it seems likely that we will retain our unique identities, including the memories and love associated with our families. But these relationships will be healed of any earthly hurts or limitations, allowing for perfect reconciliation and understanding.

The Church Fathers, while emphasizing the spiritual nature of heavenly existence, did not dismiss the continuity of earthly bonds. St. Gregory of Nyssa suggested that in heaven, we will recognize and rejoice in the presence of our loved ones, but in a way that transcends earthly attachments (Towards a Trinitarian Understanding of Marriage : How Might the Unity of Persons in Communion Help Rediscover the Principles of Christian Marriage ?, 2020).

We can trust in God’s perfect love and wisdom. If family bonds have been a source of love, growth, and reflection of divine love on earth, we can hope that these relationships will find their fulfillment in heaven. They will be purified of any selfishness or imperfection, integrated into the perfect love we will share with God and all the saints.

Let us, therefore, cherish our family bonds on earth as precious gifts and preparation for the eternal communion that awaits us. May this hope inspire us to love more deeply and selflessly in our present relationships, always oriented towards our ultimate destiny in God’s presence.