Matthew 22:25

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 22:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first married and deceased, and having no seed left his wife unto his brother;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first married and deceased, and having no seed left his wife unto his brother;
Matthew 22:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first married and deceased, and having no seed left his wife unto his brother;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now there were with us seven brethren, etc.] That is, there was in the city, town or neighbourhood, where these Sadducees dwelt, probably at Jerusalem, a family, in which were seven sons, all brethren by the father’s side; for brethren by the mother’s side were not counted brethren, nor obliged by this law f1186; whether this was a reigned case which is here and in the following verses put, or whether it was real fact, which is possible, it matters not: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: the eldest of these seven brethren married a wife, and after some time died, having no children, son or daughter, by his wife; and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Conversation of Jesus with the Sadducees respecting the resurrection - See also Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-38. Matthew 22:23 The same day came the Sadducees - For an account of the Sadducees, see the notes at Matthew 3:7. No resurrection - The word “resurrection” usually means the raising up the “body” to life after it is dead, John 11:24; John 5:29; 1 Corinthians 15:22. But the Sadducees not only denied this, but also a future state, and the separate existence of the soul after death altogether, as well as the existence of angels and spirits, Acts 23:8. Both these doctrines have commonly stood or fallen together, and the answer of our Saviour respects both, though it more distinctly refers…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now there were with us seven brethren - This story seems to have been a kind of common - place objection, which no doubt they brought upon all occasions. Matthew 22:29”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mar 12:19-23; Luk 20:29-33; Heb 9:27 Matthew 22:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification