Matthew 22:25

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

Now {G1161} there were {G2258} with {G3844} us {G2254} seven {G2033} brethren {G80}: and {G2532} the first {G4413}, when he had married a wife {G1060}, deceased {G5053}, and {G2532}, having {G2192} no {G3361} issue {G4690}, left {G863} his {G846} wife {G1135} unto his {G846} brother {G80}:

There were seven brothers. The first one married and then died; and since he had no children, he left his widow to his brother.

Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother.

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first married and deceased, and having no seed left his wife unto his brother;

Commentary

Matthew 22:25 is part of a pivotal exchange between Jesus and the Sadducees, a prominent Jewish religious sect of the time. This verse introduces their elaborate hypothetical scenario designed to challenge Jesus' understanding of the resurrection and, by extension, His divine authority.

Context

This verse immediately follows the Pharisees' attempt to trap Jesus with a question about tribute to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22). Now, it's the Sadducees' turn. Unlike the Pharisees, the Sadducees rejected the concept of the resurrection of the dead, angels, and spirits, holding only the Torah (the first five books of Moses) as authoritative. Their question about the seven brothers and one wife is a classic example of their attempts to use earthly logic to invalidate spiritual truths.

The scenario they present is based on the ancient Israelite custom of levirate marriage, as prescribed in Deuteronomy 25:5-6. This law stipulated that if a man died without children, his brother was obligated to marry the widow to raise up offspring for the deceased, ensuring the continuation of the family name and inheritance. The Sadducees exaggerate this law by proposing a highly improbable situation involving seven brothers successively marrying the same woman, all dying without "issue" (children), to create a theological dilemma for Jesus concerning marriage in the resurrection.

Key Themes

  • The Sadducees' Challenge: This verse highlights the Sadducees' skeptical worldview and their active opposition to Jesus' teachings, particularly regarding the resurrection.
  • Misunderstanding of Scripture: The Sadducees' argument, starting with this verse, reveals their fundamental misunderstanding of God's power and the nature of the resurrected life, trying to apply earthly marital laws to a heavenly reality.
  • Levirate Marriage Custom: It serves as a specific example of ancient Jewish legal and social customs that shaped family structure and inheritance.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "having no issue" is a direct translation of the Greek mē echōn teknon (μὴ ἔχων τέκνον), meaning "having no child" or "no offspring." This detail is crucial because the entire premise of the levirate marriage law hinged on the absence of male heirs to carry on the deceased brother's lineage and name.

Significance and Application

While this verse merely sets up the Sadducees' flawed argument, it's significant for understanding the broader narrative of Jesus' encounters with religious leaders and His profound wisdom. It reminds us not to limit God's power or the realities of the spiritual realm by our earthly understanding or logical constraints. Jesus' response, found in the subsequent verses (Matthew 22:29-32), powerfully corrects their misconceptions about the resurrection, emphasizing that in the resurrected state, there is no marriage, and believers are like angels.

For modern readers, this passage underscores the importance of interpreting Scripture correctly and not imposing human limitations on divine truths. It also highlights Jesus' ability to dismantle complex theological traps with simple, profound truth.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 12:19

    Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave [his] wife [behind him], and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

  • Mark 12:23

    In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.

  • Hebrews 9:27

    And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

  • Luke 20:29

    There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.

  • Luke 20:33

    Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.