Matthew 22:26 Study Bible: In like manner the second also, and the third, to the seventh.

◄ Matthew 22:26 ►

The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh.

The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh
The same thing happened
This phrase indicates a repetition of events, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the situation being described. In the context of Matthew 22, this refers to the Levirate marriage practice, where a brother is obligated to marry his deceased brother's widow if the brother died without leaving offspring. The Greek word used here, "ὁμοίως" (homoios), suggests a likeness or similarity, underscoring the repetitive nature of the events. This repetition serves to highlight the futility and inevitability of human efforts without divine intervention, a theme often explored in biblical narratives.

to the second and third brothers
The mention of the "second and third brothers" continues the narrative of the Sadducees' hypothetical scenario presented to Jesus. This scenario is rooted in the Jewish law found in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, which outlines the duty of a brother-in-law to marry the widow of his deceased brother. The historical context here is crucial, as it reflects the cultural and legal practices of ancient Israel, where family lineage and inheritance were of utmost importance. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, used this scenario to challenge Jesus, attempting to show the absurdity of resurrection in their view.

down to the seventh
The phrase "down to the seventh" completes the sequence of brothers, each marrying the widow in turn. The number seven in biblical literature often symbolizes completeness or perfection. In this context, it may suggest the totality of the brothers' obligation under the law, as well as the exhaustive nature of the Sadducees' argument. Theologically, this could be seen as a reflection on the limitations of human understanding and the need for divine wisdom. The Sadducees' use of this complete number in their question to Jesus is intended to trap Him, yet it ultimately serves to reveal their misunderstanding of God's power and the nature of the resurrection.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Sadducees
A Jewish sect known for their denial of the resurrection, who posed the question to Jesus to challenge Him.

2. Jesus
The central figure in the passage, responding to the Sadducees' question.

3. The Seven Brothers
Part of the hypothetical scenario presented by the Sadducees, each marrying the same woman in succession.

4. The Woman
The widow in the Sadducees' scenario, who marries each brother in turn.

5. Jerusalem
The setting where this interaction takes place, during Jesus' ministry.

Teaching Points

Understanding the Resurrection
The Sadducees' question reveals their misunderstanding of the resurrection. Jesus' response emphasizes that earthly relationships and laws do not apply in the same way in the afterlife.

The Authority of Scripture
Jesus uses Scripture to correct the Sadducees, demonstrating the importance of knowing and understanding God's Word accurately.

Faith Beyond Logic
The Sadducees' question is rooted in human logic, but Jesus points to a reality beyond human understanding, encouraging believers to trust in God's promises.

The Nature of Eternal Life
Jesus' teaching suggests that eternal life transcends earthly institutions and relationships, focusing on a deeper, spiritual existence with God.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the Sadducees' question reflect their beliefs about the resurrection, and how does Jesus address their misunderstanding?

2. In what ways does Jesus' response to the Sadducees challenge us to think differently about life after death?

3. How can understanding the cultural and historical context of levirate marriage enhance our comprehension of this passage?

4. What can we learn from Jesus' use of Scripture in His response to the Sadducees, and how can we apply this in our own lives?

5. How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's promises, even when they defy human logic or understanding?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 25:5-6
This passage provides the basis for the levirate marriage law, which the Sadducees reference in their question to Jesus.

Mark 12:18-27 and Luke 20:27-40
Parallel accounts of the same event, offering additional insights into Jesus' response.

1 Corinthians 15:12-22
Discusses the resurrection of the dead, countering the Sadducees' disbelief.

Acts 23:6-8
Highlights the theological differences between the Sadducees and Pharisees, particularly regarding the resurrection.

Sermons

Question of the Sadducees: Whose Shall She Be?	Marcus Dods	Matthew 22:15-33
A Resurrection Emblem	Life of Faraday.	Matthew 22:23-33
As the Angels	Lapide.	Matthew 22:23-33
Creation is More Inexplicable than Resurrection		Matthew 22:23-33
God's Power a Guarantee for the Care of Men Who have Departed This Life	T. T. Lynch.	Matthew 22:23-33
Heaven Vaguely Revealed Yet a Comfort to the Human Heart	H. W. Beecher.	Matthew 22:23-33
Ignorance of Holy Scripture the Source of Error in Religion	C. Cator, M. A.	Matthew 22:23-33
The Angelic Life	C. H. Spurgeon.	Matthew 22:23-33
The Functions of Man's Animal Nature not Operative in Heaven	H. W. Beecher.	Matthew 22:23-33
The Intermediate State	John Jortin.	Matthew 22:23-33
The Joys of Heaven		Matthew 22:23-33
The Resurrection of the Dead	J.A. Macdonald	Matthew 22:23-33
Things Said not to be in Heaven, Which Yet are in Heaven	T. T. Lynch.	Matthew 22:23-33
Voices from Heaven	J. Cumming, D. D.	Matthew 22:23-33

People

David, Herodians, Isaac, Jacob, Jesus

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Brother, Likewise, Manner, Seven, Seventh, Third

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Matthew 22:23-28

7388 kinsman-redeemer

Matthew 22:23-30

5661 brothers

Matthew 22:23-32

5681 family, nature of
7555 Sadducees

Matthew 22:23-33

8235 doctrine, nature of

Matthew 22:24-26

5711 marriage, restrictions

Matthew 22:24-30

9315 resurrection, of believers

Library

Sacrifice to Caesar or to God
Eversley, 1869. Chester Cathedral, 1872. Matthew xxii. 21. "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Many a sermon has been preached, and many a pamphlet written, on this text, and (as too often has happened to Holy Scripture), it has been made to mean the most opposite doctrines, and twisted in every direction, to suit men's opinions and superstitions. Some have found in it a command to obey tyrants, invaders, any and every government, …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

The Kingdom of Heaven
Chapel Royal, St James'. 1873. St. Matt. xxii. 2-7. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
'And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 6. But they made light of it, and went their …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On the Same Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42
1. The question which was proposed to the Jews, Christians ought to solve. For the Lord Jesus Christ, who proposed it to the Jews, did not solve it Himself, to the Jews, I mean, He did not, but to us He hath solved it. I will put you in remembrance, Beloved, and ye will find that He hath solved it. But first consider the knot of the question. He asked the Jews what they "thought of Christ, whose Son He was to be;" for they too look for the Christ. They read of Him in the Prophets, they expected Him …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 2, Etc. , About the Marriage of the King's Son; against the Donatists, on Charity. Delivered at Carthage In
1. All the faithful [2986] know the marriage of the king's son, and his feast, and the spreading [2987] of the Lord's Table is open to them all [2988] who will. But it is of importance to each one to see how he approaches, even when he is not forbidden to approach It. For the Holy Scriptures teach us that there are two feasts of the Lord; one to which the good and evil come, the other to which the evil come not. So then the feast, of which we have just now heard when the Gospel was being read, has …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42, Where the Lord Asks the Jews Whose Son they Said David Was.
1. When the Jews were asked (as we have just now heard out of the Gospel when it was being read), how our Lord Jesus Christ, whom David himself called his Lord was David's Son, they were not able to answer. For what they saw in the Lord, that they knew. For He appeared to them as the Son of man; but as the Son of God He was hidden. Hence it was, that they believed that He could be overcome, and that they derided Him as He hung upon the Tree, saying, "If He be the Son of God, let Him come down from …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

The Wedding Garment
The parable may be discoursed upon under five heads. Here is an enemy at the feast; here is the king at the feast; that king becomes the judge at the feast; and hence the enemy becomes the criminal at the feast; and swiftly is removed by the executioner at the feast. I. We see in the text AN ENEMY AT THE FEAST. He came into the banquet when he was bidden, but he came only in appearance, he came not in heart. The banquet was intended for the honour of the son, but this man meant not so; he was willing …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

The Parable of the Wedding Feast
In order to understand the parable before us we must first direct our attention to the design of the "certain king" here spoken of. He had a grand object in view; he desired to do honor to his son upon the occasion of his marriage. We shall then notice the very generous method by which he proposed to accomplish his purpose; he made a dinner, and bade many: there were other modes of honoring his son, but the great king elected the mode which would best display his bounty. We shall then observe, with …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Making Light of Christ
In the first place, we shall have a few words with you, concerning what it is that the sinner makes light of; secondly, how it is that he makes light of it; and thirdly, why it is that he makes light of it. Then a general observation or two, and we shall not weary you. In the first place, WHAT IS IT THAT THE SINNER MAKES LIGHT OF? According to the parable, the person alluded to made light of a marriage banquet which a king had provided, with all kinds of dainties, to which they were freely invited, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Beatific vision
MATTHEW xxii. 27. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. These words often puzzle and pain really good people, because they seem to put the hardest duty first. It seems, at times, so much more easy to love one's neighbour than to love God. And strange as it may seem, that is partly true. St. John tells us so--'He that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?' Therefore many good people, who …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

The Eternal Goodness
MATTHEW xxii. 39. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Why are wrong things wrong? Why, for instance, is it wrong to steal? Because God has forbidden it, you may answer. But is it so? Whatsoever God forbids must be wrong. But, is it wrong because God forbids it, or does God forbid it because it is wrong? For instance, suppose that God had not forbidden us to steal, would it be right then to steal, or at least, not wrong? We must really think of this. It is no mere question of words, it is …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

The Heavenly Banquet.
20th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. xxii. 4. "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage." INTRODUCTION.--The Kingdom of Heaven has two meanings in this parable. It means in the first place the Catholic Church. Into that the apostles and pastors of Christ invite men to enter, and many refuse. In the second place it means the Church Triumphant,--eternal blessedness, and into that the pastors of Christ's Church invite you …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Profession and Practice.
18th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. xxii. 42. "What think ye of Christ?" INTRODUCTION.--Many men are Christians neither in understanding nor in heart. Some are Christians in heart, and not in understanding. Some in understanding, and not in heart, and some are Christians in both. If I were to go into a Temple of the Hindoos, or into a Synagogue of the Jews, and were to ask, "What think ye of Christ?" the people there would shake their heads and deny that He is God, and reject His teaching. The …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Image of Self.
23rd Sunday after Trinity. S. Matthew xxii., 20. "Whose is this image?" INTRODUCTION.--Some people are very fond of contemplating their own excellencies, of admiring their good qualities, or their success in life; they will talk to you of what they have done, how they made this lucky hit, how they outwitted so-and-so, how they escaped such a danger by their foresight. But they are not fond of considering their imperfections, of lamenting their faults, of confessing their failures, their lost opportunities, …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Thankfulness to God.
Harvest S. Matthew xxii., 21. "Render--unto God, the things that are God's." INTRODUCTION.--David says in the 8th Psalm, "What is man, that Thou art mindful of him: and the son of man that Thou visitest him? Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of Thy hands; and Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet, all sheep and oxen; yea, and the beast of the field, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea." I. The mastery of man is even more extensive than this; he controls …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

Love Thy Neighbour
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.--ST MATTHEW xxii. 39. The original here quoted by our Lord is to be found in the words of God to Moses, (Leviticus xix. 18:) "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord" Our Lord never thought of being original. The older the saying the better, if it utters the truth he wants to utter. In him it becomes fact: The Word was made flesh. And so, in the wondrous …
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Of Gratitude for the Grace of God
Why seekest thou rest when thou art born to labour? Prepare thyself for patience more than for comforts, and for bearing the cross more than for joy. For who among the men of this world would not gladly receive consolation and spiritual joy if he might always have it? For spiritual comforts exceed all the delights of the world, and all the pleasures of the flesh. For all worldly delights are either empty or unclean, whilst spiritual delights alone are pleasant and honourable, the offspring of …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
MANY are called, saith our Saviour, Mat. xxii. 14. but few chosen. Oh dreadful sentence. who is able to hear it without trembling and astonishment! If he had said, that of all the Men that are born in the World, there are but few saved, this would not have struck such fear and horror in us; for we might still hope, that though Turks, Jews, and Heathens, which are far the greatest part of the World, should all perish, yet we few in comparison of them, who are baptized into his Name, who profess his …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

The Christian State
Scripture references: Matthew 22:17-22; 17:24-27; Acts 23:5; John 6:15; Matthew 4:8-10; John 18:36-38; Mark 14; 61,62; John 18:33; 19:19; Isaiah 9:6,7; 60:3; Zechariah 9:10; Daniel 7:14; Matthew 26:64; 26:53,54; 16:16,17; 25:31,32. CHRIST AND THE STATE The Relation of Christ to the State.--He was an intense patriot. He loved His country. The names of His great countrymen, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua and David, were ever on His lips. He offered Himself as the national Messiah (Matthew 21:1-17), …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

In Reply to the Questions as to his Authority, Jesus Gives the Third Great Group of Parables.
(in the Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son. ^A Matt. XXII. 1-14. ^a 1 And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto them, saying, 2 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, 3 and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast: and they would not come. 4 Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
(Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision A. Pharisees and Herodians Ask About Tribute. ^A Matt. XXII. 15-22; ^B Mark XII. 13-17; ^C Luke XX. 20-26. ^a 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk. ^c 20 And they watched him, and sent forth { ^b send unto him} ^a their disciples, ^b certain of the Pharisees and of { ^a with} ^b the Herodians, that they might catch him in talk. [Perceiving that Jesus, when on his guard, was too wise for them, …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
These maxims, good for a country where life is nourished by the air and the light, and this delicate communism of a band of children of God reposing in confidence on the bosom of their Father, might suit a simple sect constantly persuaded that its Utopia was about to be realized. But it is clear that they could not satisfy the whole of society. Jesus understood very soon, in fact, that the official world of his time would by no means adopt his kingdom. He took his resolution with extreme boldness. …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Royal Marriage Feast.
PART I.--THE WEDDING GUESTS. "And Jesus answered, and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

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