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Matthew 22:23-33
Jesus is being tested once again, this time with a doctrinal issue. The leaders of the temple have an issue with Jesus and his teaching on the resurrection. To test him, they propose a question meant to imply that the resurrection is foolish.
The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”
29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. Matthew 22:23-33
Jesus answers boldly, telling them they are wrong. He answers with an authority the Sadducees could accept, based on Moses in the book of Exodus. He proves the resurrection by showing that God himself refers to the patriarchs as living. Jesus passes the test by knowing and believing the whole word of God.
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Jesus is being tested once again, this time with a doctrinal issue. The leaders of the temple have an issue with Jesus and his teaching on the resurrection. To test him, they propose a question meant to imply that the resurrection is foolish.
The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh. 27 After them all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.”
29 But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. Matthew 22:23-33
Jesus answers boldly, telling them they are wrong. He answers with an authority the Sadducees could accept, based on Moses in the book of Exodus. He proves the resurrection by showing that God himself refers to the patriarchs as living. Jesus passes the test by knowing and believing the whole word of God.
Discussion Questions
- What can we learn about what the Sadducess believe? (Acts 23:8). How does this compare to what people believe today about the afterlife?
- How well do you know the Word of God? Are you able to explain how or why you believe? What questions do you have about the beliefs of the church?
- What do you believe about the resurrection and God’s power? Could you describe the resurrection to a friend, a child, a neighbor? If asked, what would you say? ( Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; Job 19:25-27)
- How does this passage give you hope?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?