Matthew 22:24

Verse

“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.

American Standard Version (1901)

saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

Bible in Basic English

Master, Moses said, If a man, at the time of his death, has no children, let his brother take his wife, and get a family for his brother;

Douay-Rheims 1899

Saying: Master, Moses said: If a man die having no son, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up issue to his brother.

Free Bible Version

They asked him, “Teacher, Moses said that if a married man dies without having children, his brother should marry his widow and have children on behalf of his brother.

Geneva Bible 1599

Saying, Master, Moses sayd, If a man die, hauing no children, his brother shall marie his wife by the right of alliance, and raise vp seede vnto his brother.

King James (Authorized) Version

Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

One Unity Resource Bible

saying, “Teacher, Moses [Drawn out] said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.’

Translation for Translators

In order to discredit the idea that dead people will live again, they said to him, “Teacher, Moses wrote in the Scriptures, ‘If a man dies who did not have any children, his brother must marry the dead man’s widow in order that she can have a child by him. The child will be considered the descendant of the man who died, and in that way the dead man will have descendants.’

Unlocked Literal Bible

saying, “Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies, having no children, his brother must marry his wife and have children for his brother.'

Noah Webster Bible

Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man shall die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed to his brother.

World English Bible

saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’

Young's Literal Translation

'Teacher, Moses said, If any one may die not having children, his brother shall marry his wife, and shall raise up seed to his brother.

Context

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

²³That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him. ²⁴“Teacher,” they said, “Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.²⁵Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died without having children. So he left his wife to his brother.

Summary

In this verse, the Pharisees present a hypothetical scenario to Jesus about a woman who marries seven brothers successively due to the levirate marriage law. Their question aims to challenge the belief in the resurrection by pointing out a seeming contradiction. However, Jesus responds by explaining that in the resurrection, there will be no marriage as we understand it on earth, for believers will be like angels in heaven. This passage underscores the eternal nature of life after death and the transformation believers will undergo in the resurrection.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Likewise the second also,.... The eldest of the surviving brethren, having married his brother's wife, after sometime died also without children, and left her to his next brother to marry her; and the third brother accordingly did marry her, and in process of time died likewise, leaving no issue behind him; and thus they went on in course, unto the seventh: the fourth, fifth, and sixth, married her in turn, and so did the seventh; and all died in the same circumstances, having no children by her. Likewise the second also,.... The eldest of the surviving brethren, having married his brother's wife, after sometime died also without children, and left her to his next brother to marry her; and the third brother accordingly did marry her, and in process of time died likewise, leaving no issue behind him; and thus they went on in course, unto the seventh: the fourth, fifth, and sixth, married her in turn, and so did the seventh; and all died in the same circumstances, having no children by her. Matthew 22:27 mat 22:27 mat 22:27 mat 22:27And last of all the woman died also. A widow and childless, having never married another person but these seven brethren; and the case with them being alike, no one having any child by her, upon which any peculiar claim to her could be formed, the following question is put.