What does Matthew 22:31 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 22:31 speaks directly to the question of the resurrection of the dead.

In this verse, Jesus is addressing the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection.

He points them to Scripture, reminding them of what God has spoken, to demonstrate that the resurrection is a credible doctrine based on the authority of the God's own words.

Jesus is emphasizing that the belief in resurrection is not a novel idea, but one that is rooted in the scriptures which the Sadducees themselves hold sacred.

Historical Context

Matthew 22:31 falls within a passage where Jesus is challenged by the Sadducees.

The Sadducees were a Jewish sect that held a literal interpretation of the written Torah and did not believe in an afterlife or a resurrection of the dead.

This was a significant point of theological conflict between them and the Pharisees, who did believe in the resurrection.

The challenge presented by the Sadducees in Matthew 22 was an attempt to entrap Jesus into saying something that would discredit him in the eyes of the people or show inconsistency in his teaching.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse showcases Jesus' view of Scripture as authoritative and his belief in the resurrection. It highlights the interpretative disagreements between different Jewish groups of the time.

From a Christian theological perspective, it is seen as an affirmation of life after death and the power of God to transcend human limitations. Discussion in Jewish circles may focus on the different interpretations of scriptural texts and the validity of oral tradition versus written Scripture.

Practical Applications

Matthew 22:31 can have several practical applications:

• It encourages individuals to look back to their religious texts to seek answers for complex questions.
• It serves as a reminder of the belief in life after death, which can bring hope to believers.
• This passage also teaches the importance of understanding and interpreting holy texts accurately and the value of knowing why one holds certain beliefs.

Cross-References

• Exodus 3:6 - "Moreover he said, I [am] the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God."

• Acts 23:8 - "For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both."
• John 11:25 - "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text is "εἰπὼν εἶπεν ὑμῖν ὁ Θεός," which primarily focuses on "εἰπὼν" (eipon) meaning "said" and "Θεός" (Theos) signifying "God." Jesus uses the perfect tense "εἰπὼν" to indicate that what God spoke continues to have relevance, the implication being that the statement He made remains perpetually true and should be understood as such.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In contrasting Matthew 22:31 with other cultural and religious beliefs, the ancient Egyptians also had a strong belief in an afterlife, where the dead were judged by their deeds.

The Greek mythological concept of the afterlife involved crossing the River Styx and entering Hades. The resurrection concept differs from these as it speaks of an eventual righteous judgement and restoration to life, rather than a mere shadowy existence after death.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspective does not typically confirm or deny theological beliefs about the afterlife, as these topics are considered outside the realm of empirical study.

The concept of resurrection is a matter of faith and not subject to scientific validation.

However, the study of near-death experiences (NDEs) has contributed to ongoing discussions about consciousness after clinical death, but conclusive evidence supporting the notion of life after death from a scientific standpoint remains elusive.

Commentaries

Commentators have various perspectives on this verse:

• William Barclay highlights Jesus’ skill in using Scripture to establish the truth of the resurrection.
• John Gill references the book of Exodus to emphasize that God's covenant further enunciates the certainty of the resurrection.
• Matthew Henry sees this as a rebuke to the Sadducees for their ignorance of the power of God and the true meaning of Scripture.

Each commentary underlines Jesus's assertion that the belief in the resurrection is grounded in God’s revelation to humanity as recorded in Scripture.