What does Matthew 22:28 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:28 features a question posed to Jesus by the Sadducees, a Jewish sect that did not believe in the resurrection.

This verse is part of a broader narrative in which the Sadducees present Jesus with a hypothetical situation: a woman marries seven brothers in succession, each one dying without leaving children before the next brother marries her.

The Sadducees ask, "Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her." Their question challenges the concept of resurrection, testing Jesus' teachings by posing a case of marital status and relationships in the afterlife.

The literal meaning is straightforward, asking to whom the woman would be married in the resurrection.

However, the deeper meaning touches upon the nature of resurrected life and the validity of the Sadducees' disbelief in life after death.

Historical Context

During Jesus' time, two prominent Jewish groups with differing beliefs were the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead and the existence of angels and spirits.

The Sadducees, on the other hand, accepted only the written Law of Moses and denied the resurrection and the existence of spirits.

This question is presented in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus is teaching in the temple courts.

The hypothetical scenario about the woman and her seven husbands is based on Levirate marriage, described in Deuteronomy 25:5-6, where a man was required to marry his deceased brother's widow to continue his brother's line.

Theological Insights

The Sadducees' question to Jesus was not a genuine inquiry but a trap to discredit him and his teachings. They sought to show that the concept of resurrection results in absurd situations.

However, Jesus' response goes beyond their trap, providing theological insights that suggest that in the resurrection, earthly relationships such as marriage will not persist as they do in mortal life.

He explains that resurrected beings will be like angels in heaven and will not marry (Matthew 22:30).

The theological insight is that life after resurrection transcends our earthly understanding and social constructs.

Practical Applications

This verse, while part of a specific context, can inspire individuals to reflect on the transient nature of earthly arrangements and relationships.

It can encourage believers to focus on living a life with eternal perspectives in mind, understanding that earthly ties do not bind us in the afterlife.

It can also teach that human understanding is limited when considering divine matters and that we should approach complex theological questions with humility and faith in God's wisdom.

Cross-References

• Luke 20:34-36: Jesus answers the Sadducees' question about the resurrection and marriage.
• Deuteronomy 25:5-6: Describes the law of Levirate marriage, which underpins the Sadducees' hypothetical scenario.
• 1 Corinthians 15:52: Discusses the transformative event of the resurrection.
• Romans 6:5: On being united with Christ in his resurrection.
• Revelation 20:6: Talks about the second death having no power over those who are part of the first resurrection.

Language Study

Key words in the verse include "resurrection" (Greek: ἀνάστασις - anastasis), literally translated as "rising up" or "standing up again," which refers to the concept of being raised from the dead.

"Wife" (Greek: γυνὴ – gyne) in this context refers to the marital relationship. These words are central to understanding the implications of the Sadducees' question.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparing this Jewish belief system, one can examine similar questions of afterlife and marital status in other ancient cultures, like the Egyptians, whose conceptions of the afterlife were vastly complex, or the Greco-Roman beliefs that varied but often included an afterlife where personal identity persisted.

Within Hinduism, marriage is seen as a sacred bond that can transcend a single lifetime, whereas in Buddhism, attachments and relationships are seen as impermanent, much like the Christian theological insights that earthly relationships do not persist as they do in earthly life.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives generally do not intersect directly with theological matters like the afterlife or the resurrection. Science deals with empirical and measurable evidence, whereas beliefs in life after death fall within the realm of spirituality and faith.

It is worth noting that many scientific thinkers encourage maintaining a sense of wonder and acknowledgement of the unknown, which can align with the acknowledgment of divine mysteries in theological thought.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have offered insights on this verse.

Some point out that Jesus' response to the Sadducees focuses on revealing their misunderstanding of the scriptures and God's power.

Others emphasize that Jesus uses this opportunity to teach about the nature of the resurrection, making it clear that life after resurrection is not merely an extension of earthly life.

This question-and-answer exchange shows Jesus' adeptness in dealing with theological challenges and his ability to reframe the conversation to convey profound spiritual truths.