Devine Scripture

Matthew 22:32

What does Matthew 22:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 22:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 22:32 means

Jesus quotes Exodus 3:6: 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' He then explains the profound implication: 'God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.' This is a powerful, concise argument for the resurrection. If God identifies Himself as the God of perfectly righteous Old Testament patriarchs long after their physical deaths, it means they are still living in His presence. God's covenant with them endures beyond physical death, implying an ongoing existence and future resurrection.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I 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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not a God of dead men, but of living.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I am theGod of Abraham, and theGod of Isaac, and theGod of Jacob?God is notGod of [the] dead, but of [the] living.

Context

This verse contains Jesus' conclusive scriptural argument for the resurrection, quoting God's self-identification from Exodus. This direct divine declaration from the books of Moses, which the Sadducees accepted, entirely refutes their denial of the resurrection. This powerful theological point directly precedes the crowd's astonished reaction to Jesus' definitive teaching.

v.31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

v.32This passage

v.33And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 7:32

    I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

  • Mark 12:26

    But as touching the dead, that they are raised; have ye not read in the book of Moses, in the place concerning the Bush, how God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

  • Exodus 3:15

    And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

  • 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.

  • Luke 20:37

    But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the Bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

  • Hebrews 11:16

    But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

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