Matthew 22:24 Meaning and Explanation
“Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →They cite Moses: if a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow and raise up heirs for him.
What Does Matthew 22:24 Mean?
The Sadducees ground their riddle in the law of levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5-6), which protected a childless widow and preserved a dead brother's name and inheritance by raising children counted as his.
The law they quote was a provision of mercy for a world where death constantly broke families -- a brother stepping in so that a name would not perish from Israel. The Sadducees, however, wield this compassionate statute as a logic puzzle against the hope of life beyond death. Scripture handled without reverence can be turned against its own Author; Jesus will shortly hand it back to them rightly read.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 22:24
What does Matthew 22:24 mean?
They cite Moses: if a man dies childless, his brother must marry the widow and raise up heirs for him.