Will marriage exist in heaven?

TL;DR:

Scripture is very clear that marriage as we know it will not exist in heaven. We will be in union forever with the Savior who died for us.

Jesus provides a clear answer to the question of marriage in heaven by declaring that there will not be marriage there. The Bible does not give explicit or detailed explanation about this, but we can surmise that we will not need marriage for many reasons. When God created Adam and Eve, He told them to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Marriage and families form the building block of human societies on earth (Genesis 2:24–25), but there will not be procreation in heaven. Another reason marriage will cease in heaven is that there will no longer be a need to illustrate God’s relationship with His people. They will be in full union with Him. Marriage is a good and beautiful gift for earthly life, and it is not an eternal one. This should not be a concern for us. Whether on earth or in heaven—and no matter our age, relational connections, season of life, ethnicity, or any other distinguishing marker—our purpose is to glorify God’s Name. Both on earth and in heaven, we know that God and His ways are perfectly good and for our good. So we can trust that the gift of marriage is, indeed, a good gift and also trust that it is not eternal for good reasons.

from the old testament

There is no reference to marriage existing in heaven in the Old Testament. Marriage is a central institution on earth, established by God in Genesis 2:24. The focus of marriage relates to earthly life, family, and covenant relationships.
Resurrection is hinted at (e.g., Daniel 12:2) but it doesn’t describe marriage in heaven.

from the new testament

Matthew 22:30 provides a clear answer to the question of whether there will be marriage in heaven. Jesus stated, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Jesus personally stated that marriage would not exist in heaven.
In Ephesians chapter five we read that marriage is a picture of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:22–32). In heaven that picture will be complete.

implications for today

Many have speculated as to why marriage will not exist in heaven. The Bible does not directly address these reasons, but it says that we will be like the angels in heaven (Matthew 22:30). What does this mean? Angels are called "ministering spirits" in Hebrews 1:14 who are "sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation." In other words, at least one way human life will be different in heaven is that our lives will be completely focused on worship and service of God. Second, it is clear that in heaven God will provide complete contentment and satisfaction; His people will live as brothers and sisters in Christ in perfect harmony.

The focus in heaven will not be on creating and building a family but rather on enjoying the family of God already designed in heaven. There will be no need to build families through marriage or raising children. No one will ever die again, and life will extend throughout a perfect, sinless eternity. Believers will dwell in perfect community with the Lord and one another for all time.

Should the end of marriage in heaven be a concern to us? By no means! When the apostle John saw what would take place at the end of time, he was not discouraged. Instead, he responded, "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20). He knew that eternity future would be far greater than any human relationship or family in this life.

understand

Marriage as we know it will not exist in heaven.
Heaven will focus on worship and service to God, and the need for marriage's earthly purposes will cease.
In heaven, we will have complete contentment and perfect community with God and one another.

reflect

How does understanding that heaven will provide perfect satisfaction shape the way you view your earthly relationships?
What does it mean to you that Christ and His church will be fully united in heaven, eliminating the need for marriage as a sign?
How can trusting God’s plan for eternity help you find peace about aspects of life you don’t fully understand or in your relationships when they are difficult?

engage

How can we help one another see and focus on the eternal joy and purpose we will experience in heaven?
How does marriage on earth reflect Christ’s relationship with the church, and how can we value that picture today?
How can our hope for perfect unity with God and others in heaven inspire us to live in harmony now?