Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:

MATTHEW 22:25KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 22:25 (KJV)

What does Matthew 22:25 mean?

Matthew 22:25 describes a situation where seven brothers lived together, and the first brother married a woman but died without having children, so his widow was left to his brother. This sets up a question about marriage and family responsibilities according to Jewish custom.

In this verse, the Sadducees are speaking to Jesus, presenting a scenario based on the law of levirate marriage, where a man’s brother is expected to marry the widow if the man dies childless. They use this example to challenge Jesus about the resurrection, since the Sadducees did not believe in life after death.

The Greek behind Matthew 22:25

  • ἀδελφοί (adelphoi): This word means "brothers" and emphasizes that the men in the story are siblings, which is important for understanding the family duty being discussed.
  • σπέρμα (sperma): Translated here as "issue," this word means "offspring" or "descendants." The focus is on the fact that the first brother died without children, which triggers the levirate marriage custom.
  • γυνή (gynē): This is the word for "wife" or "woman," highlighting the role of the widow in this custom and the transfer of her marriage to the next brother.

Why Matthew 22:25 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the Sadducees’ approach: they are not asking a genuine question but are setting up a test case to challenge Jesus’ teaching about resurrection.
  • Understanding the custom of levirate marriage (where a brother marries the widow to produce children for the deceased) is key to following the logic of their question and Jesus’ eventual response.
  • The verse sets the stage for a deeper discussion about life after death and the nature of relationships in the resurrection, which Jesus addresses in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“deceased” Greek G5053 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
  • Mark 7:10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
  • Luke 7:2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

“wife” Greek G1060 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
  • Mark 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

“issue” Greek G4690 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • John 7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
  • Romans 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

“seven” Greek G2033 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
  • Luke 20:31 And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
  • Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.