MATTHEW 22:23–33 SADDUCEES ON RESURRECTION
HE IS GOD NOT OF THE DEAD, BUT OF THE LIVING
Introduction
During the final days of his public ministry in Jerusalem, Jesus is repeatedly confronted by various religious groups. Each confrontation reveals not only their inner dispositions but also deeper truths of the Kingdom of God. After responding wisely to the Pharisees and Herodians about paying taxes to Caesar, Jesus is now challenged by the Sadducees, a priestly group who deny the resurrection and life after death. They approach Jesus not to learn but to ridicule belief in the resurrection by presenting a deliberately exaggerated scenario. Jesus uses this moment to correct their misunderstanding of Scripture and to reveal the power of God who transcends earthly categories. At the heart of this passage lies a central truth: God’s covenant with his people does not end at death, because He is the God of the living.
Bible Passage (Matthew 22:23–33)
That same day, some of the Sadducees came to Jesus. Since they claimed that there was no resurrection, they questioned him like this: “Master, Moses said that if a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his dead brother. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married a wife, and he died; since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and to the third and so on until the seventh. Then, last of all, the woman also died. Now, in the resurrection of the dead, which of the seven will have her as wife, for all of them had married her?” Jesus answered, “You are totally wrong because you understand neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. In the resurrection of the dead, neither men nor women will marry, but they will be like the angels in heaven. And about the resurrection of the dead, have you never reflected on what God said to you: ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead but of the living.” The people who heard him were astonished at his teaching.
Background
This dialogue occurs in the Temple during Holy Week. The Sadducees were an influential priestly group who accepted only the Torah and rejected belief in resurrection, angels, and spirits. Their theology was closely tied to Temple power, wealth, and political security. By denying life after death, they reduced religion to present prosperity and status. Their question is based on the law of levirate marriage from Deuteronomy, which aimed to preserve family lineage in Israel. Jesus exposes their flawed reasoning and reveals that resurrection life is not a continuation of earthly structures but a transformed mode of existence grounded in God’s power.
Opening Life Connection
Many people today live as if death is the end of everything. Decisions are often shaped only by comfort, wealth, pleasure, or success in this world. Sacrifice, forgiveness, and charity seem unnecessary if there is no life beyond death. This Gospel challenges such thinking and invites believers to examine whether they truly live with hope in eternal life or functionally deny it by their choices.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“Some of the Sadducees came to Jesus”
They approach Jesus with confidence rooted in their social and religious authority, but not with humility or openness to truth.
“Since they claimed that there was no resurrection”
Their disbelief shapes their question. They are not searching for understanding but trying to disprove what they already reject.
“Moses said…”
They appeal to the Torah, the only Scripture they accept, selectively using it to support their argument rather than to discern God’s will.
“There were seven brothers”
The exaggerated example uses the symbolic number seven to mock belief in resurrection by making it appear absurd.
“Which of the seven will have her as wife?”
They wrongly assume that resurrected life must follow the same social and biological rules as earthly life.
“You are totally wrong”
Jesus’ response is firm and direct, showing that religious status does not guarantee correct faith.
“You understand neither the Scriptures nor the power of God”
The Sadducees fail both intellectually and spiritually: they read Scripture narrowly and limit God to human logic.
“They will be like the angels in heaven”
Jesus reveals that resurrected life is transformed, immortal, and no longer ordered toward marriage or procreation.
“I am the God of Abraham… Isaac… Jacob”
God speaks in the present tense, affirming that the patriarchs are alive to Him even after death.
“He is God not of the dead but of the living”
This climactic statement affirms that death does not sever God’s covenant with His people.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
The Sadducees held power through the Temple system and collaboration with Roman authorities. Their denial of resurrection aligned with a worldview focused on present privilege rather than future accountability. By quoting Exodus, Jesus refutes them using the Torah itself, showing that even their accepted Scripture implies life beyond death and a living relationship with God.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church professes belief in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Eternal life is not a vague spiritual survival but a complete transformation by God’s power. Marriage is a sacred vocation in this world, but it points toward the ultimate communion of humanity with God. Faith in resurrection shapes Christian morality, sacrifice, and hope.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
The early Christian martyrs faced death with courage because they believed that God is the God of the living. Their willingness to lose earthly life for Christ bore witness to the resurrection more powerfully than words. Their faith shows that belief in eternal life changes how one lives and dies.
Application to Christian Life Today
Belief in resurrection calls Christians to live responsibly with an eternal perspective. Wealth, time, and talents are entrusted by God for love and service. Acts of charity, faithfulness, and self-denial gain meaning only when seen in light of eternal life. Christians are invited to live now as people destined for heaven.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, believers encounter the risen Christ who conquered death. Each Mass is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet where life is fully restored. By receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, the faithful are strengthened in hope and united with both the living and the dead in one communion.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Examine whether your faith is shaped by eternal hope or limited to worldly concerns.
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Seek a deeper understanding of Scripture with humility and openness to God’s power.
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Live daily life with awareness that death is not the end but a passage to fullness of life.
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Use wealth, time, and abilities as gifts entrusted by God for love and service.
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Trust in the promise of resurrection and strive to live as a child of the living God.
Outline for Preachers
• Background within the Gospel and Holy Week context
• Life connection: living as if this world is all there is
• Key phrases explained: resurrection, angels, God of the living
• Jewish context: Sadducees and denial of resurrection
• Catholic teaching on resurrection and eternal life
• Saintly witness to hope beyond death
• Application to Christian life today
• Eucharistic connection
• Key messages and call to conversion
