Matthew 22:16

22:16 They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, 1  saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 2  You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality. 3 

Matthew 22:23-24

Marriage and the Resurrection

22:23 The same day Sadducees 4  (who say there is no resurrection) 5  came to him and asked him, 6  22:24 “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and father children 7  for his brother.’ 8 

1 sn The Herodians are mentioned in the NT only once in Matt (22:16 = Mark 12:13) and twice in Mark (3:6; 12:13; some mss also read “Herodians” instead of “Herod” in Mark 8:15). It is generally assumed that as a group the Herodians were Jewish supporters of the Herodian dynasty (or of Herod Antipas in particular). In every instance they are linked with the Pharisees. This probably reflects agreement regarding political objectives (nationalism as opposed to submission to the yoke of Roman oppression) rather than philosophy or religious beliefs.

2 sn Teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Very few comments are as deceitful as this one; they did not really believe this at all. The question of the Pharisees and Herodians was specifically designed to trap Jesus.

3 tn Grk “And it is not a concern to you about anyone because you do not see the face of men.”

4 sn See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.

5 sn This remark is best regarded as a parenthetical note by the author.

6 tn Grk “and asked him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

7 tn Grk “and raise up seed,” an idiom for fathering children (L&N 23.59).

8 sn A quotation from Deut 25:5. This practice is called levirate marriage (see also Ruth 4:1-12; Mishnah, m. Yevamot; Josephus, Ant. 4.8.23 [4.254-256]). The levirate law is described in Deut 25:5-10. The brother of a man who died without a son had an obligation to marry his brother’s widow. This served several purposes: It provided for the widow in a society where a widow with no children to care for her would be reduced to begging, and it preserved the name of the deceased, who would be regarded as the legal father of the first son produced from that marriage.