Matthew 22:27 - After them all, the woman died.

Generated Verse: Matthew 22:27

What does "Matthew 22:27" mean?


The verse "After them all, the woman died" (Matthew 22:27) is part of a larger passage where the Sadducees are trying to trick Jesus with a hypothetical question about the resurrection. Here's what it means in context:

The Scenario: The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, presented Jesus with a scenario based on the Levirate marriage law in Deuteronomy. This law stated that if a man died without having children, his brother was obligated to marry the widow to continue the deceased brother's lineage.
The Question: They presented a case where a woman married seven brothers, one after the other, as each died without offspring. Then they asked Jesus, "In the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
The Verse's Role: The verse "After them all, the woman died" simply completes the scenario. It's the final detail necessary to set up their supposedly unanswerable question. It highlights that all seven brothers had married her, and then she herself died.

Significance in the Broader Context:

Setting Up the Trap: The verse is crucial for setting up the perceived absurdity of the Sadducees' question. They intended to show that the concept of resurrection led to logical inconsistencies and was, therefore, ridiculous.
Jesus' Response: Jesus uses their question as a springboard to teach about the nature of the resurrection. He refutes their understanding by stating that marriage is a earthly institution, and in the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. He also affirms the reality of the resurrection by referencing God as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, asserting that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Understanding of the Resurrection: Jesus' response emphasizes a transformed existence beyond earthly concerns. The verse indirectly prompts Jesus to explain that the resurrected life transcends the limitations and institutions of this world.

In short, the verse "After them all, the woman died" is a simple statement of fact within a carefully constructed scenario designed to challenge Jesus. However, it serves as a catalyst for Jesus to reveal deeper truths about the resurrection.

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