Clarification on this passage.

[bmy-]

BibleGateway.com - Passage Lookup: Matthew 22:23-30;

I understand some of the social context behind this passage.. but can anyone enlighten me on it as a whole?

Matthew 22:23-30 (New International Version)

23That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24"Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27Finally, the woman died. 28Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"

29Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

[tubaloth]

There was a discussion about this same scripture just a couple of months ago.

This is what I posted.

http://www.lds.net/forums/lds-gospel-discussion/12573-eternal-marriage.html#post224790

Maybe you can explain what you are struggling with. I could try to guess what it is that you need clarification one, but I would think asking is always better then guessing!

[bmy-]

Your post seemed to cover it. I was looking mainly to study the passage in a historical context.

It just seemed to contradict the LDS teaching of eternal marriage. Almost all misunderstandings in scriptures can be reconciled when you look at historical or social context.

Thanks again.

Brandon

[BenRaines]

If she had been sealed to her first husband then the other brothers married her for her to have support and not starve to death. This was an early form of like insurance. Other brothers married her civilly. Nothing in LDS teachings say that after the resurrection there will be marriages made. Also since the Sadducess did not believe in the resurrection it was a moot point. Christ knew of their unbelief and also knew that the question was just to attempt to catch him.

This is an often used question and verse used by those who have no idea of the concept of eternal marriage.

Ben Raines

[Mykdiver]

To me only the first marriage counts as far as the Lord is concerned. The others were just so the woman would have someone to take care of her.