Matthew 22:26 (KJV)

What does Matthew 22:26 mean?

Matthew 22:26 describes how, following the death of the first brother, the second brother, then the third, and so on up to the seventh, each married the same woman in turn. This verse is part of a story being told to illustrate a point about marriage and resurrection.

In this scene, the Sadducees are speaking to Jesus, presenting a hypothetical situation based on the law of Moses where a woman marries seven brothers in succession, each after the previous one dies. The verse is a brief summary showing that this pattern continued through all seven brothers, setting up their question about whose wife she would be in the resurrection.

The Greek behind Matthew 22:26

• "Likewise" (ὡσαύτως, hōsautōs): This word means "in the same way" or "similarly," showing that what happened to the first brother also happened with each of the others.
• "Unto the seventh" (ἕως τοῦ ἑβδόμου, heōs tou hebdomou): This phrase means "up to the seventh," emphasizing that all seven brothers went through the same sequence with the woman, not just a few.

Why Matthew 22:26 matters

• Matthew 22:26 helps clarify that the scenario involved every one of the seven brothers, not just a couple, making the Sadducees' question about the afterlife more pointed.
• The verse highlights the Sadducees' attempt to challenge Jesus with an extreme example, showing their skepticism about resurrection.
• This detail sets up the context for Jesus’ teaching that follows, which addresses misunderstandings about life after death and the nature of resurrection.