Matthew 22:23-46

New Life Version

They Ask about Being Raised from the Dead ^(A)

²³ The same day some people from the religious group who believe no one will be raised from the dead came to Jesus. They asked, ²⁴ “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man should die without having children, then his brother must marry his wife. He should have children for his brother.’ ^{(B) 25} There were seven brothers with us. The first was married but died before he had any children. The second brother then married the first brother’s wife. ²⁶ The second brother died and the same with the third and on to the seventh. ²⁷ Then the woman died also. ²⁸ When people are raised from the dead, whose wife will she be of the seven? They all had her for a wife.”

²⁹ Jesus said to them, “You are wrong because you do not know the Holy Writings or the power of God. ³⁰ After people are raised from the dead, they do not marry. They are like the angels in heaven. ³¹ Have you not read what God said to you about those who are raised from the dead? He said, ³² ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ He is not the God of the dead but of the living!” ^{(C) 33} When the people heard this, they were surprised and wondered about His teaching.

The Great Law ^(D)

³⁴ The proud religious law-keepers got together when they heard that the religious group of people who believe no one will be raised from the dead were not able to talk anymore to Jesus. ³⁵ A proud religious law-keeper who knew the Law tried to trap Jesus. He said, ³⁶ “Teacher, which one is the greatest of the Laws?” ³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest of the Laws. ³⁹ The second is like it, ‘You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Laws and the writings of the early preachers depend on these two most important Laws.”

⁴¹ The proud religious law-keepers were gathered together. Then Jesus asked, ⁴² “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” ⁴³ Jesus said to them, “Then how is it that David, being led by the Holy Spirit, calls Him ‘Lord’? He said, ⁴⁴ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right side until I make those who hate You a place to rest Your feet.”’ ^{(E) 45} If David calls Him ‘Lord,’ then how can He be the Son of David?” ⁴⁶ No one could answer a word, and after that day no one asked Him anything.