Matthew 22:31

But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you:

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the Sadducees during a temple debate, immediately after clarifying that resurrected individuals do not marry. He introduces his argument by directing their attention to a specific scriptural statement.

The words — ἀναστάσεως (anastaseōs) means resurrection, and ἀνέγνωτε (anegnōte) means you have read. Jesus pairs these terms to shift the discussion from hypothetical scenarios to direct scriptural engagement.

The thread — The rhetorical formula "have you not read?" appears in Matthew 12:3 and Matthew 21:16, while the immediate resurrection context runs through Matthew 22:30 and 22:32. These passages consistently use textual citation to resolve theological disputes.

Why it lands — It requires the reader to verify claims against Scripture before accepting or rejecting a doctrine. The verse demands that textual evidence, not personal speculation, determine the conclusion.

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

περὶperiConcerning δὲdenow τῆςtēsthe ἀναστάσεωςanastaseōsresurrection τῶνtōnof the νεκρῶνnekrōndead οὐκouksurely ἀνέγνωτεanegnōteyou have read τὸtothat which ῥηθὲνrhēthenhas been spoken ὑμῖνhuminto you ὑπὸhupoby τοῦtou<the>θεοῦtheouGod λέγοντος·legontossaying;

King James Version

But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

Cross-references

Matthew 21:16 “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”
Matthew 12:3 Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 12:7 If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?