Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:25

What does Matthew 22:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:25 means

The Sadducees present a hypothetical scenario involving seven brothers. The first brother marries, dies without children, and leaves his wife to his next brother, according to the levirate law. This sets up the initial premise of their convoluted thought experiment designed to push the concept of resurrection to an illogical extreme. The specific number 'seven' is used to maximize the apparent absurdity of the situation in their minds and to make Jesus' answer seem impossible.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now there were among us seven brothers; and the first was married and at his death, having no seed, gave his wife to his brother;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And there were with us seven brothers, and the first having married did die, and not having seed, he left his wife to his brother;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first having married a wife, died; and not having issue, left his wife to his brother.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now there were with us seven brethren; and the first having married died, and not having seed, left his wife to his brother.

Context

This verse begins the Sadducees' elaborate hypothetical scenario that will serve as the core of their argument against the resurrection. It introduces the first of the seven brothers and the application of the levirate law, setting the precedent for the subsequent sequence of marriages and deaths. This detailed setup is necessary to fully grasp the 'problem' they present to Jesus.

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.

v.25This passage

v.26in like manner the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 12:19

    Teacher, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave a wife behind him, and leave no child, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

  • Hebrews 9:27

    And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;

  • Luke 20:29

    There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died childless;

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