Matthew 22:25

25 Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother.

Matthew 22:25 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 22:25

Now there were with us seven brethren
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 F1; 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 therefore, according to the above law, leaves her to his next brother to marry her, and raise up seed unto him; which, according to the Jewish canons F2, could not be done before ninety days, or three months after the decease of his brother; for so long they were to wait and see, whether she was with child by his brother or not; for if she was, it was not necessary, yea, it was unlawful for him to marry her.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Maimon. Hilch. Yebum, c. 1. sect. 7.
F2 T. Bab. Erubin, fol. 47. 1. Maimon. ib. c. 1. sect. 19.

Matthew 22:25 In-Context

23 The same day some Sadducees came to him, saying there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying,
24 "Teacher, Moses said, "If a man dies childless, his brother shall marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother.'
25 Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died childless, leaving the widow to his brother.
26 The second did the same, so also the third, down to the seventh.
27 Last of all, the woman herself died.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.