Matthew 22:31

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, haue ye not read that which was spoken vnto you by God, saying, Matthew 22:31 (KJV)

This verse occurs in a dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees, a Jewish sect that denied any future resurrection. They presented a hypothetical scenario about a woman who had been married to seven brothers, each of whom died, in order to test Jesus’ teaching on life after death. Jesus begins by acknowledging the topic, “But as touching the resurrection of the dead,” and then asks whether they have read what God had spoken to them.

Jesus is referring to the Old Testament, specifically Exodus 3:6, where God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Although that passage does not explicitly describe an after‑life, Jesus uses the declaration to show that God maintains a relationship with those patriarchs despite their physical death. The point is that God is not the God of the dead but of the living, indicating that the dead are still alive in His presence.

The significance of this teaching is that it directly challenges the Sadducees’ denial of resurrection. By highlighting that God calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—who had long since died—Jesus demonstrates that those individuals are still known to God, implying a continued existence beyond the grave. This argument supports the broader New Testament teaching that life does not end at death but continues in communion with God.

In summary, Matthew 22:31 records Jesus’ response to the Sadducees’ question about the resurrection. He points them to the words of God in Exodus, emphasizing that God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Through this reference, Jesus affirms the reality of life after death and confronts the Sadducees’ disbelief in the resurrection, offering a clear case for the hope of resurrection found throughout Scripture.