Understanding Matthew 22:29-33

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Just finished January 20th reading: 📅 January 21: Matthew 23: Jesus Condemns Hypocrisy

Need help fully understanding 22:29-33. KJV:

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I 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.
33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

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The passage from Matthew 22:29-33 is part of a dialogue between Jesus and the Sadducees. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, posed a question to Jesus about whose wife a woman would be in the resurrection, given that she had been married to seven brothers (Matthew 22:23-28). Jesus’ response is both corrective and instructive, shedding light on the nature of eternal life and the power of God.

In verse 29, Jesus directly addresses their lack of understanding. His rebuke ‘Ye do err’ points out their error not just in their question’s premise but also in their fundamental comprehension of both the Scriptures and God’s omnipotence. The Sadducees’ error is two-fold: a theological misunderstanding and an underestimation of divine power.

Moving to verse 30, Jesus dismantles their earthly perspective on relationships by introducing the concept of angelic existence in the resurrection. The life to come is not a simple extension of the present life with its social constructs, such as marriage. In heaven, the social institutions that are necessary for human society on Earth are no longer pertinent. Jesus likens those resurrected to ‘angels of God in heaven’, focusing on their divine state of being rather than earthly relational statuses.

Verse 31 emphasizes the certainty of resurrection. Jesus points them to the scripture they claim to know, specifically the encounter of God with Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6). Here, Jesus quotes God’s declaration of Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, using it as proof of the resurrection. The argument is subtle but profound; God identifies Himself with these patriarchs in the present tense, indicating that they are alive to Him, hence asserting the reality of the resurrection.

Verse 32 solidifies the argument. By stating ‘God is not the God of the dead, but of the living’, Jesus affirms that for God, all are alive, and therefore the resurrection is a reality. The patriarchs, though dead from a human perspective, are alive to God, and so will be all who share in the resurrection. The power of God transcends human death.

Finally, in verse 33, the crowd’s astonishment reflects the impact of Jesus’ teaching. He not only silences the Sadducees’ challenge but also unveils a profound truth that stirs the multitude. The doctrine of the resurrection and the nature of life after death was not only a matter of debate but also of wonder and hope for the listeners.

In this exchange, Jesus affirms the resurrection, redefines life in the eternal realm, and reveals the ever-present and life-giving power of God. It’s a powerful reminder of the limitations of human understanding when it comes to divine matters and the importance of seeking deeper knowledge of God through Scripture.

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Q: Can you elaborate with more depth and details on the following:

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Certainly. The concept presented in Matthew 22:30 speaks to the profound difference between our earthly existence and the life that is to come after resurrection. Jesus, in His response to the Sadducees, is clarifying that the resurrection life is fundamentally different from our current life, particularly in the context of social structures and relationships.

In the earthly realm, social institutions like marriage serve several purposes. They provide structure, facilitate procreation, ensure the well-being of family units, and define inheritance and social status. These are essential for the orderly functioning of society and the continuation of the human race. Marriage, in particular, is a sacred covenant designed for mutual companionship, support, and the bearing of children.

However, Jesus indicates that these social constructs will not carry over into the resurrected life. This is not to diminish the importance of such institutions here on earth but to highlight that the resurrected life transcends these needs. In the resurrection, the focus shifts from fulfilling earthly needs to experiencing a fully realized relationship with God.

Being ‘as the angels of God in heaven’ suggests a state of existence that is not bound by human limitations or societal roles. Angels are often depicted as beings that serve God directly, without the encumbrances of mortal life. The comparison implies that in the resurrection, the primary relationship is with God, and the resurrected beings will have a nature that is in some respects similar to that of angels—spiritual, immortal, and dedicated to the worship and service of God.

This is not to say that relationships will not exist in the resurrection but that they will be transformed. The quality and depth of relationships will be based on a shared communion with God and not on the social contracts that are necessary on earth. The divine state of being that Jesus refers to is one where the love and connection experienced by the resurrected are not defined by earthly terms or conditions.

Moreover, the concept of being like angels in heaven points to a state of perfect obedience and harmony with God’s will. It suggests a life that is no longer plagued by sin, temptation, or suffering. It also implies a community of beings united in purpose and in their devotion to God, a community where the love for one another is pure and untainted by earthly frailties.

In essence, Jesus is teaching that life after resurrection is a life of transformed relationships, where the social constructs that are necessary here—like marriage—will no longer be relevant. Instead, the resurrected will partake in a new mode of existence, one that is centered on and sustained by an intimate and direct relationship with God, much like the angels who are in His presence.

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So the relationships you have on earth are not continued in the same way in heaven? E.g. family, friends, wives/husbands?

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In Matthew 22:30, Jesus’ words suggest that the relationships we have on earth will not continue in exactly the same way in the resurrection. He is speaking in the context of a question about marriage in the resurrection, and His answer points to a fundamental transformation of human relationships.

The purpose of marriage, as well as other human relationships on earth, is multifaceted. They provide companionship, structure, support, and they fulfill emotional and physical needs. The institution of marriage also has a procreative purpose—bearing children to continue the human race.

However, Jesus indicates that in the resurrection, people will not marry or be given in marriage. This implies that the social institution of marriage, as we understand it with its earthly purposes, will not be necessary in the resurrected life. Since there will be no death, there will be no need for procreation to sustain the population. Furthermore, the complete and direct communion with God will fulfill all needs that human relationships aim to fulfill on earth.

This does not mean that the deep connections, love, and recognition between individuals will cease to exist. Many Christian perspectives hold that love and recognition will surely continue into the eternal state, but they will be perfected and transformed to fit the realities of that new, imperishable life. The bonds that people form on earth are meaningful and are often seen as a reflection of the divine love that God has for humanity. In heaven, love is perfected, and all relationships are subsumed under the primary relationship with God.

The nature of these transformed relationships is not described in detail in Scripture. The focus of Jesus’ teaching in this passage is to affirm the reality of the resurrection and to correct misunderstandings about what that resurrected life entails. It emphasizes that the resurrection will introduce a new mode of existence that transcends our current experiences and relationships. The quality of life and relationships in that resurrected state will be defined by the presence and direct rulership of God, not by the necessity of earthly institutions.

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Pretty much agree with AI above except to add that the resurrection points forward - Christ being the ‘first fruit’ of those to come (i.e. the first to be raised from the dead, reconciled to God and granted immortality) - the ‘first resurrection’ being that which is soon to come at the return of Christ prior to setting up his kingdom on earth for 1000 years - when those responsible are raised from the dead and judged together (with those responsible that are alive when he returns). They will either be granted immortality to reign with Christ at that point or cast back into the world and be subject to Armeggedon and the judgements on the earth that are to come. The second resurrection occurs at the end of Christ’s 1000 year reign, when death is finally overcome - those mortal people that have died during the 1000 year reign are judged and all that remain on earth after this will be immortal like the angels. Finally God’s ultimate plan is fulfilled, back to Genesis 3 when the Edenic covenant said the seed of the woman (Christ) will bruise the head (kill) of the serpant (sin in the flesh), when the earth will finally show forth His glory and there will be no nor sin disease and death. God will be ‘all in all’, Sin and death will be no more and the earth is fully restored (as the garden of Eden). Think of people now - blood pumps round our bodies and keeps us alive; immortal bodies won’t need blood, they are alive by the spirit of God, his holy spirit…