Ελληνικό SiteA Question About The Resurrection
Have you ever noticed that we often ask questions in order to defend our position rather than to acquire new knowledge?
Matthew 22:23-33
- The adversaries are Sadducees who believe there is no resurrection. We are not surprised that their question for Jesus is about the resurrection.
- A little bit of Bible knowledge can be dangerous. Deuteronomy 25:5-10 is the basis of their question/argument. (See also, Genesis 38:8,11; Ruth 1:11). Often unbelievers create a humorous, mocking question about God’s Word.
- Jesus chides them for their ignorance of scripture and the power of God (v. 29).
- First, there is no marriage relationship in heaven (v. 30).
- Second, (for those of you who mock the resurrection but still claim to be believers) God IS the God of Abraham (Exodus 3:6)—Abraham died and is alive!
- The crowd was astonished at this teaching. The Sadducees were soundly defeated.
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Matthew 22:23-33
23The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27And last of all the woman died also.
28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
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.
33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
5If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.
6And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.
7And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother.
8Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her;
9Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house.
10And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.
Genesis 38:8,11
8And Judah said unto Onan, Go in unto thy brother's wife, and marry her, and raise up seed to thy brother.
11Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
Ruth 1:11
11And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
Exodus 3:6
6Moreover 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.