Matthew 22:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Initially, the Savior addresses the inquiry. This skepticism about the resurrection stemmed from the belief that the established order of life would never change. Therefore, He first eliminates the root of their misunderstanding before addressing the issue itself, revealing the nature of resurrection: "for in the resurrection," He states, "neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven," or as noted by Luke, "the sons of God" (Luke 20:36). If there is no marriage in the resurrection, the question posed by the Sadducees becomes irrelevant. However, it is not merely that the sons of the resurrection are likened to angels that leads to their lack of marriage; rather, it is their celibacy that enables them to be akin to angels. Through these statements, the Savior dispelled many other worldly concerns, which the Apostle Paul succinctly summarized by saying: "for the image of this world passeth away” (1 Cor. 7:31).

If you truly understood the omnipotence of God, you would recognize that He is capable of establishing a way of existence for individuals after the resurrection akin to that of the angels.

In that place, the feet are steadfast, life remains constant, and the threat of succumbing to sin is absent, as there is neither fleshly insurrection nor the temptation from a spouse to sin. In the resurrection, distinctions of male and female dissipate, resulting in a singular and harmonious existence for those who honor their Lord and for those who reside in the realm of the living.

You are in error, for individuals of this age engage in marriage, but those who have entered the age to come are like heavenly beings. Those who have reached that realm resemble angels (cf. Lk. 20:34-35). If those who become like angels do not partake in marriage, what might we say of those who so boldly disparage even angels in this matter?

The Latin terminology lacks alignment with the Greek, as it specifically describes women with the term nubere (to marry) and men with uxores ducere (to take a wife). We can thus understand that men are referred to as nubent (enter into marriage), while women are described as nubentur (to take a wife). However, since in the resurrection of the dead individuals neither marry nor are given in marriage, it logically follows that bodies will be brought back to life that have the potential for marriage. Clearly, one would not assert that inanimate objects like wood or stone—which lack the necessary reproductive parts—neither marry nor are given in marriage. This statement applies solely to those beings who, although capable of marriage, refrain from it for different reasons. By stating that they will be like the angels of God in heaven, it conveys the promise of a spiritual existence.

Individuals do not enter into marital unions, nor are women given in marriage, meaning that such bonds do not exist due to the absence of earthly desires. In Luke 20:36, it is noted that they are unable to die, indicating that marriage is a facet of mortal existence tied to death, as new lives emerge to replace those who have departed. Where death is absent, marriage cannot be found. The text speaks of righteous individuals, declaring that they will be transformed to be like angels because they are free from earthly cravings and passions, reflecting their purity and, in a sense, their lightness. They are akin to the angels of God in heaven.

The Lord has expressed that in the coming life, there will be no marriages or offenses; the bonds that characterize our earthly existence will not exist in that realm. Thus, all earthly orders will be absent, including sciences, arts, governments, and any other human institutions. What will remain is the complete presence of God among all. As God is Spirit, and since spiritual truths operate within that realm, existence will be an uninterrupted flow of spiritual activity.

How misguided! They juxtapose the age to come with our current existence. In this life, we face death, and due to this inevitability, we experience birth; thus, we marry, allowing what is lost through death to be renewed through new life. If death were eliminated, the purpose of birth would vanish. Likewise, if birth lost its value, the motivation for marriage would cease. This present world is earthly, while the future realm is spiritual. Just as the spirit wanders in this life, so too does the body feel out of place in the next. In our current existence, the soul is bound to the body and its earthly desires, while in the world to come, the body will be subject to the spirit. In every realm, a phenomenon holds greater sway in its own domain—there it truly flourishes.

In the resurrection, individuals do not engage in marriage nor are they given in marriage but exist like the angels of God in heaven, for they cannot die any longer and are acknowledged as children of God, akin to those resurrected to new life through His resurrection. This notion was sufficient to embarrass the Sadducees; however, the Lord likely recognized the potential to guide some of the Sadducees out of their misconceptions, thus He did not simply respond to the objection but also provided a compelling affirmation of eternal life. St. Chrysostom observes that He considers not only the inquiry but also the underlying thoughts of those asking.

Jesus responded to them, stating that their lack of understanding regarding Eternal Life led to their misconceptions. They wrongly assume that life after resurrection mirrors the earthly existence characterized by sensuality. In truth, those who are granted the honor of being called sons of God upon their resurrection will be like angels, experiencing a life that is spiritual and celestial in nature. Just as angels do not marry or have marital relations, they also do not face death. Regarding your assertion that the teachings of Moses contain no references to the resurrection of the dead, you are misinformed. Have you not considered the moment God revealed Himself to Moses? He identified Himself by saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' (Mark 12:26).

The people of this world engage in marriage repeatedly, as they are mortal, and such unions are essential for the perpetuation of humanity. However, individuals who have entered the heavenly kingdom and have experienced resurrection will no longer partake in marriage, for they will be immortal like the angels and will not need to focus on the continuation of the human lineage.

"There will be no marriages or giving of daughters in marriage in that realm, signifying that there will be no further propagation of humanity; however, the distinction between male and female will still exist. Just like the angels of God, people will continue to exist after the resurrection and will engage with one another in a manner akin to the angels. It is not the case that the children of the resurrection are referred to as angels due to their lack of marriage, but rather that their celibacy is what enables them to share in the same likeness as the angels."