Matthew 22:23 (KJV)

What does Matthew 22:23 mean?

Matthew 22:23 describes how, on the same day as earlier events, a group called the Sadducees—who do not believe in resurrection—approached Jesus with a question. This sets up an encounter where the Sadducees challenge Jesus on a topic they reject, aiming to test or trap him.

The verse introduces the Sadducees, a Jewish sect known for denying the resurrection of the dead, as they come to question Jesus. The timing (“the same day”) links this scene to previous confrontations with other religious leaders in the temple. The Sadducees’ disbelief in resurrection is important because it shapes the kind of question they will ask, and it highlights a key difference between them and other Jewish groups, like the Pharisees.

The Greek behind Matthew 22:23

• ἀνάστασις (anastasis) — “resurrection”: This word refers to the idea of rising from the dead. The Sadducees’ denial of ἀνάστασις is central to their identity and to the challenge they bring to Jesus.
• Σαδδουκαῖοι (Saddoukaioi) — “Sadducees”: Naming this group specifically signals a shift from earlier debates with Pharisees and scribes, and alerts the reader to a different theological dispute.
• λέγουσιν (legousin) — “say”: The Greek here can carry the sense of a settled belief or ongoing claim, not just a one-time statement. It underlines that the Sadducees are known for consistently denying resurrection.

Why Matthew 22:23 matters

• The verse clarifies that not all Jewish leaders in Jesus’ time agreed on core beliefs; the Sadducees’ denial of resurrection sets them apart from the Pharisees, who affirmed it.
• By introducing the Sadducees’ question, Matthew prepares the reader for a discussion about resurrection, which is a major theme in Jesus’ teaching and in early Christian belief.
• The timing (“the same day”) shows a pattern of repeated challenges to Jesus’ authority, highlighting the tension and scrutiny he faced in Jerusalem.