Matthew 22:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe how the Redeemer, with profound wisdom as a true instructor, responds to them. Although they approached Him with ulterior motives, their inquiry stemmed more from ignorance. Thus, the Redeemer refrains from labeling them as hypocrites. So, what is Christ? He addresses both their words and the intent behind them, exposing their deepest thoughts by openly revealing them and also by convicting the consciences of those who questioned Him. Notice how He demonstrates both the reality of the resurrection and clarifies that it will not occur as they presume. What does He convey to them? "Ye are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matt. 22:29).

The Savior reveals that a resurrection is assured, yet it will not be as materially base as they supposed, but rather exalted and divine. He asks, "Why are you deceived, not recognizing the Scriptures or the might of God?” Had you comprehended the Scriptures, you would have understood that God is not associated with the dead, but with the living.

They are mistaken because they lack understanding of the Scriptures, which leads to their ignorance of God’s power, specifically Christ, who embodies both the power and wisdom of God.

You are in error, lacking an understanding of the prophetic writings that reveal a resurrection distinct from your assumptions. You are also misled, being unaware of God's omnipotent ability to resurrect the dead without the prior characteristics and desires.

Jesus responded to them, saying, "You are mistaken, and it is precisely because of this misunderstanding that you err in your reasoning; you fail to grasp the true interpretation of the Scriptures, the might of God, and the correct understanding of His omnipotence. Your notions of life after this one are misguided and incorrect. The institution of marriage pertains only to this earthly existence, which is governed by sensual desires. However, in the life to come, there is no sensuality, and as such, there is no marriage."

When the Pharisees were rendered speechless by this response, the Sadducees, part of the same council, took pleasure in their embarrassment and promptly presented a question about the doctrine of the resurrection, which they had dismissed due to the absurd conclusions they had drawn. The Lord, as He had done when condemning the Pharisees, addressed this issue by uprooting the very foundations of their misguided beliefs. They referred to a case of a woman who had been married to seven brothers according to societal customs. The Lord demonstrated that the Sadducees were misled because they (1) failed to comprehend the Scriptures, and (2) did not grasp the limitless power of God.

The collaboration between the Sadducees and the Pharisees in this scenario is not explicitly highlighted in the Gospel narratives. It is quite possible that, having witnessed Jesus Christ expose the Pharisees' shortcomings, the Sadducees, pleased by this, aimed for Him to further mock the Pharisaic belief in the resurrection of the dead. This belief held that with the arrival of the Messiah, all Israelites would be resurrected to live in the Holy Land. At the very least, Christ's response was well-received by the scribes, as noted in Luke 39, and the Sadducees’ defeat fortified the Pharisees, according to Matthew 34.

Jesus responded to them, saying, “You speak this way because you lack understanding of the future promise of Eternal Life. You mistakenly believe that life beyond this earthly existence will mirror the sensuality of life here. However, this is not the case: those who are privileged to be called sons of God following their resurrection will be like angels, experiencing a wholly different existence, a spiritual and heavenly life. Like angels, they will neither take spouses nor be given in marriage, and they will be free from death. Regarding your assertion that there are no references to the resurrection of the dead in the writings of Moses, you are incorrect in this regard as well. Have you not read about God revealing Himself to Moses? Are you unaware of how He identified Himself?

However, their proud understanding of Scripture was destined to experience a just downfall. In His serene manner, Christ responded, indicating that their beliefs regarding resurrection and eternal life were misguided, stemming from their misinterpretation of the Holy Scriptures.

The Lord addresses the confusion presented by the Sadducees by highlighting their mistaken interpretation of the Scriptures and their misunderstanding of God's authority. They claim knowledge of the law as given by Moses, yet the Savior confronts them for their lack of understanding. Their questioning reveals their ignorance of both the Scriptures and the omnipotence of God. Despite numerous experiences illustrating His power, the Sadducees fail to grasp this truth, missing even the fundamental principles of reason which affirm that all things are possible with God.

In a manner reflective of the gentle and serene nature of divine truth, the Lord addressed his questioners, revealing that their inquiry lacked substance and highlighted their unfamiliarity with the Holy Scriptures and disbelief in God’s limitless power: ‘Are ye not therefore deceived, having no knowledge of the Scriptures, nor of the power of God?’ The Old Testament does not suggest that the afterlife mirrors our current existence; rather, the testament of God's omnipotence, as chronicled in the history of Israel found within the sacred texts, affirms that it is entirely within God's capability to restore a decayed body to life.