What is the meaning of Matthew 22:30? In the resurrection • Jesus places the scene after God raises His people bodily (John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). • Resurrection life is real, physical, and everlasting—“it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:44). • The Sadducees denied this doctrine (Matthew 22:23), so Jesus anchors His answer in the certainty of resurrection (Daniel 12:2). Will neither marry • Earthly marriage, designed by God in Genesis 2:24, serves purposes of companionship, procreation, and picturing Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). • In the perfected age those purposes are fulfilled; therefore, “the time is short…those who have wives should live as if they had none” (1 Corinthians 7:29-31) because marriage belongs to the present order “that is passing away.” • No new marital unions will form because human families will have reached their intended completion (Revelation 7:9-10). Nor be given in marriage • Jewish culture distinguished a man who “marries” from a woman who “is given in marriage.” Jesus covers both sides to show that all wedding ceremonies cease (Mark 12:25; Luke 20:34-35). • The bride imagery culminates in “the marriage of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:7-9). Once Christ and His church are eternally united, the symbol gives way to the reality. Like the angels in heaven • “They can no longer die, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God” (Luke 20:36). Immortality, not loss of identity, is the comparison. • Angels live fully devoted to God’s worship and service (Isaiah 6:2-3; Hebrews 1:14). Likewise, resurrected believers will enjoy undistracted fellowship with the Lord (Psalm 16:11). • Our glorified bodies will be transformed “to be like His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21), free from decay and the need for procreation (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). summary Matthew 22:30 teaches that the resurrection ushers believers into an immortal, glorified existence where earthly institutions like marriage are no longer necessary. God’s family will be complete, His people fully satisfied in unhindered fellowship with Him, living like the angels—incorruptible, undying, and wholly devoted to the praise of their Savior. |
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