Matthew 22:26

Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

Matthew 22:26 (KJV)

Context

This verse is part of a larger exchange in Matthew 22:23-33, where the Sadducees, a Jewish sect that denied the resurrection, confront Jesus. They present a hypothetical case based on the Mosaic law of levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-6), in which a woman marries seven brothers in succession, each dying without children. Verse 26 records the middle of their scenario: the second brother, the third, and so on through the seventh also died. The detail is not the main point; it sets up their question about whose wife she will be in the resurrection, a doctrine they reject as absurd.

Meaning

The verse underscores the certainty of the resurrection, a doctrine the Sadducees denied. By including all seven brothers, the narrative emphasizes the completeness of the hypothetical situation, making the question sharper. Jesus does not dismiss their challenge but uses it to correct their misunderstanding of Scripture and the power of God. He explains that in the resurrection, earthly institutions such as marriage cease, and believers become like the angels in heaven (Matthew 22:29-30).

Biblical connections

Jesus then appeals to Exodus 3:6, where God declares, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” He argues that God is not the God of the dead but of the living, showing that the patriarchs are alive in a spiritual sense and that God’s covenant extends beyond death. This connection affirms the resurrection and reveals that the Sadducees’ error stems from ignorance of the Scriptures.

Application

The passage teaches three truths. First, the resurrection is a transformative reality, not a continuation of earthly relationships. Second, the authority of Scripture is essential; the Sadducees’ mistake came from not knowing the Word accurately. Third, God’s power is sovereign over life and death, able to raise the dead and grant eternal life. Believers are called to study Scripture diligently and trust in God’s power, even when doctrines seem difficult to grasp.

Reflection

Jesus’ response in Matthew 22:29-32 affirms the reality of the resurrection and the futility of applying earthly marital ties to the eternal state. It challenges readers to ground their faith in Scripture and to rely on God’s power, which transcends human understanding. The verse reminds us that God’s covenant with His people is living and enduring, offering hope beyond the grave.