In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh.
Parallel translations
- KJV Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
- BSB The same thing happened to the second and third brothers, down to the seventh.
- NKJV Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh.
- NASB It was the same also with the second brother, and the third, down to the seventh.
- NLT But the second brother also died, and the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Each brother in turn marries the woman and dies. The hypothetical accumulates to press the supposed absurdity.
Overview
The repetition through all seven brothers reinforces the Sadducees' contrived puzzle. They assume resurrection life simply continues earthly marriage relationships. The exaggerated scenario reveals their failure to grasp how different the resurrection state will be, which Jesus is about to correct.
Cross-references & the web
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 22:26 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.