What does Matthew 22:24 mean?

Members of the Sadducees have approached Jesus (Matthew 22:23). The Sadducees were unique in Judaism because they did not believe in resurrection or life after death. They were known for being aristocrats and politicians above all else, making them unpopular with common people, especially in comparison to the more spiritual Pharisees. In this challenge, they are hoping to stump Christ with a difficult question. Unlike the Pharisees, however, they are not likely trying to get Him arrested or killed. Later, the Sadducees will conspire with the Pharisees to have Jesus killed (John 11:45–57).

For now, their question is meant to prove a theological point: that resurrection of the dead, so far as they understand it, is absurd within the framework of the Law.

They address Jesus as "teacher," but their respectful attitude is only slightly more sincere than the previous group of questioners. They begin by citing Deuteronomy 25:5–10, describing a Levirate marriage. That part of the Law states that if a man dies without having children, the man's brother must take the dead man's widow as his own wife. The first son they have together will be considered the son of brother who has died. This was a way of continuing the family line of the brother who had passed away, and of providing for the otherwise-destitute widow.

The practice dated prior to Moses, notably mentioned when Onan refused to carry out this apparent duty of a brother (Genesis 38:8–10). Moses' law made the practice official, but it also allowed for the brother to refuse to take his late brother's wife if he chose not to do so at the price of being publicly shamed by the wife (Deuteronomy 25:7–10). Scholars speculate that Levirate marriage was not frequently practiced in Israel during Jesus' era.

Jesus will respond by correcting their misunderstanding of both marriage and the nature of life after death (Matthew 22:29–32).