Bible Strands
Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Sadducees directly, immediately after their hypothetical about a woman who married seven brothers under the levirate law (22:28).
The words — πλανᾶσθε (planasthe, "you err") is the operative verb; it is stronger than the BSB's "mistaken," carrying the sense of being led astray or wandering off course rather than making a simple slip.
The thread — John 20:9 records the disciples failing to grasp Scripture's teaching on resurrection; Romans 15:4 states that all prior writing exists for instruction; Luke 1:37 asserts that no word from God will fail. The pairing of "Scriptures" and "power of God" in this verse mirrors the recurring pattern: correct doctrine and correct confidence in God's ability are treated as inseparable.
Why it lands — The verse names two specific failures—ignorance of Scripture and ignorance of God's power—and presents them as a compound error, not a minor one. It asks the reader to test whether their theology rests on both, or whether one has quietly dropped out.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Cross-references
- John 20:9 For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.
- Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
- Luke 1:37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
- Jeremiah 32:17 “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!
- Daniel 12:2 And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.
- Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
- Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
- Isaiah 26:19 Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.
- Philippians 3:21 who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
- Genesis 18:14 Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”