What does Matthew 22:26 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:26 refers to a hypothetical situation presented by the Sadducees to Jesus. The Sadducees, who did not believe in resurrection, posed a question about a woman who married seven brothers in succession, each one dying without leaving children.

This verse notes that the second brother also married her and died without children, and so did the third, all the way to the seventh brother.

The literal meaning pertains to the levirate marriage custom, where a man was required to marry his deceased brother's widow to produce offspring for his brother's lineage.

The deeper meaning is addressed in the subsequent verses, where Jesus points out that life after resurrection is not the same as earthly life, and the institutions like marriage do not apply in the same way.

Historical Context

During Jesus' time, the Jewish community was governed by various laws and customs described in the Torah.

The Sadducees, a Jewish sect primarily consisting of priests and aristocrats, strictly adhered to the written Law of Moses and rejected traditions and beliefs not explicitly written in the Torah, such as the resurrection of the dead.

The situation provided in Matthew 22:26 is based on the levirate marriage law found in Deuteronomy 25:5-6.

The context is a conversation where the Sadducees are attempting to trap Jesus with a question about resurrection, a belief they did not subscribe to, using the levirate marriage law as an example to challenge the logical possibility of resurrection.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological viewpoint, this passage illustrates Jesus' profound understanding of Scripture and the afterlife, challenging the Sadducees' disbelief in resurrection.

It shows Jesus' teaching that there is indeed a resurrection and that human relations on earth will be different in the resurrected life.

A Jewish theological perspective might focus on the adherence to the law of levirate marriage, while questioning the idea of resurrection as it was not a universally accepted belief among all Jewish sects at the time.

Practical Applications

The passage encourages believers to contemplate the nature of life after death and to recognize that our earthly understanding and customs may not directly apply to the afterlife.

It serves as a reminder to focus on the spiritual rather than the literal interpretation of laws and customs while still valuing their importance in our earthly life.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (KJV): “If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.”
• Matthew 22:23-33 (KJV): The broader context of the conversation between Jesus and the Sadducees regarding the resurrection.
• Luke 20:27-38 (KJV): Luke's account of the same conversation, which provides additional insight.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek language include:

• "Likewise" (Greek: ὁμοίως, homoiōs): similarly, in like manner.
• "Second" (Greek: δεύτερος, deuteros): ordinal number indicating second in a series.
• "Third" (Greek: τρίτος, tritos), "seventh" (Greek: ἕβδομος, hebdomos): further ordinal numbers indicating their respective positions in the series.

These words emphasize the repeated actions of each brother in fulfilling the levirate marriage duty, as prescribed by Jewish law.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, levirate marriage was a common practice; it ensured the continuation of a deceased man's line and provided support for the widow. The practice can also be found in other cultures around the world, though with variations in application and significance.

In the context of resurrection, beliefs about the afterlife vary widely among different religions.

Some believe in bodily resurrection, while others believe in spiritual continuance or reincarnation.

Scientific Perspectives

The discussion in Matthew 22:26 of life after death enters the realm of metaphysics and does not directly intersect with empirical scientific perspectives, which focus on observable and measurable phenomena.

The concept of resurrection is a matter of faith and belief beyond the scope of scientific inquiry.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries offer insights on this verse:

• The historical Jewish perspective would consider the adherence to levirate marriage important for social and religious reasons, but would vary on the concept of resurrection.
• Traditional Christian commentaries focus on Jesus' teaching about life after resurrection and how marriage does not pertain to the resurrected state.
• Scholarly commentaries may explore the Sadducees' attempt to disprove the concept of resurrection with a logical trap and Jesus' response that transcends their understanding.

Each commentary brings a different aspect of interpretation to the passage, contributing to a multifaceted view of this biblical text.