Original Word: ἰσάγγελος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: isaggelos
Pronunciation: ee-sang'-el-os
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-sang'-el-los)
KJV: equal unto the angels
NASB: like angels
Word Origin: [from G2470 (ἴσος - equal) and G32 (ἄγγελος - Angel)]

1. like an angel, i.e. angelic

equal unto the angels.

From isos and aggelos; like an angel, i.e. Angelic -- equal unto the angels.

see GREEK isos

see GREEK aggelos

Word Origin
from isos and aggelos
Definition
equal to angels
NASB Translation
like angels (1).Biblical Context

The single New Testament appearance of ἰσάγγελοι is found in Luke 20:36, where Jesus answers the Sadducees’ challenge about the resurrection: “In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. They are sons of God, since they are sons of the resurrection” (Berean Standard Bible). The term encapsulates the glorified condition of the redeemed after the resurrection—mortality replaced with an angel-like, death-immune existence in the presence of God.

Resurrection Hope and the Believer’s Future

1. Immortality. Ἰσάγγελοι implies that resurrected believers share the angels’ incapacity for death (Luke 20:36; compare 1 Corinthians 15:53–54).
2. Status as “sons of God.” Jesus links angel-likeness with adoption, echoing Romans 8:23 and 1 John 3:2. Resurrection consummates sonship.
3. Holiness and Obedience. Angels consistently perform God’s will (Psalm 103:20). By likeness, resurrected saints will exhibit unblemished obedience (Ephesians 5:27).

Angel Comparisons and Human Destiny

Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25 parallel Luke’s teaching, stressing a post-resurrection state “like angels in heaven.” Although these passages do not use ἰσάγγελοι, they illuminate its significance: earthly institutions such as marriage yield to a higher relational order centered on worship and service before God’s throne (Revelation 22:3–5).

Ministry Implications

• Pastoral Comfort. Assurance of death’s defeat (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) encourages believers facing persecution or bereavement.
• Ethical Motivation. Knowing a coming angel-like purity fosters present holiness (2 Peter 3:11–14).
• Evangelistic Urgency. The promised transformation presses the church to proclaim the gospel so that many may attain the resurrection of life (John 5:29).

Historical Interpretation

Early fathers such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus cited Luke 20:36 to affirm bodily resurrection against Gnostic denial. Medieval theologians contrasted angelic likeness (immortality, incorruption) with continuing human distinctives (redeemed bodies). Reformers emphasized that glorification does not erase humanity but perfects it, aligning with Paul’s teaching of a “spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44).

Worship and Eschatological Praise

Revelation portrays humans and angels joining in unified adoration (Revelation 5:11–13). The term ἰσάγγελοι anticipates that convergence, when redeemed humanity—now equal to angels in immortality—will forever magnify the Lamb.

ισαγγελοι ισάγγελοι ἰσάγγελοι isangeloi isángeloiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts

Luke 20:36 Adj-NMP
GRK: ἔτι δύνανται ἰσάγγελοι γάρ εἰσιν
NAS: because they are like angels, and are sons
KJV: they are equal unto the angels; and
INT: any more they can angels indeed they are

Strong's Greek 2465
1 Occurrence

ἰσάγγελοι — 1 Occ.