Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:31

What does Matthew 22:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:31 means

Transitioning from correcting their misunderstanding of resurrected life, Jesus now turns to proving the resurrection from the very scriptures the Sadducees claimed to uphold—the Books of Moses. He challenges them: 'But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God...?' This rhetorical question implies their negligence and selective reading of scripture, preparing to reveal a profound truth they had overlooked even in their own accepted texts.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But about the dead coming back to life, have you no knowledge of what was said to you by God in the Writings:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And concerning the rising again of the dead, did ye not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken by God, saying to you:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read what was spoken to you byGod, saying,

Context

This verse marks Jesus' shift from explaining the *nature* of the resurrection to providing irrefutable *scriptural proof* for it. He challenges the Sadducees on their own terms, referencing God’s direct words from the Pentateuch, which they held as authoritative. This sets up His powerful argument drawn from God's identity as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

v.30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.

v.31This passage

v.32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 12:3

    But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;

  • Matthew 21:16

    and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

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