Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:23

What does Matthew 22:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:23 means

On the same day, a new group, the Sadducees, approaches Jesus. They are identified by their distinctive theological belief that 'there is no resurrection.' Unlike the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection, the Sadducees held a more rationalistic view of the Old Testament, rejecting oral tradition and anything not explicitly stated in the Pentateuch, including the resurrection of the dead. Their appearance immediately signals a theological confrontation aimed at discrediting Jesus by attacking a core tenet of future hope.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

On that day there came to him Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection: and they asked him,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

On that day there came to him Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection: and they asked him,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

On the same day there came to him the Sadducees, who say that there is no coming back from the dead: and they put a question to him, saying,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

In that day there came near to him Sadducees, who are saying there is not a rising again, and they questioned him, saying,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That day there came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and asked him,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

On that day came to him Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection; and they demanded of him,

Context

This verse marks the beginning of a fresh confrontation, immediately following Jesus' victory over the Pharisees and Herodians. It introduces a new set of adversaries, the Sadducees, whose defining theological conviction—their denial of the resurrection—sets the stage for a distinct challenge to Jesus' authority and understanding of scripture. This allows Jesus to address fundamental questions about life after death.

v.22And when they heard it, they marvelled, and left him, and went away.

v.23This passage

v.24saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 16:6

    And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

  • Acts 23:6

    But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

  • Acts 4:1

    And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

  • 1 Corinthians 15:12

    Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

  • Matthew 3:7

    But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

  • Mark 12:18

    And there come unto him Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 22

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 22.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 22:23.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary