Matthew 22:23

The same day. [Marriage and the Resurrection, Matt. 22:23-33=Mark 12:18-27=Luke 20:27-38. Major comment: Matthew.] That is, Tuesday, the same day as that on which the events recorded previously in this chapter took place (see on chs. 21:23; 22:1, 15), the Tuesday before the crucifixion.

Sadducees. See p. 52. Though they professed belief in the Scriptures, they were, for all practical purposes, materialistic and skeptical in their philosophy. They believed in God as Creator, but denied that He was in any way particularly concerned with the affairs of mankind. They denied the existence of angels, of the resurrection, of the afterlife, and the operation of the Holy Spirit in men’s lives (see Acts 23:8). The Sadducees posed as intellectually superior to their fellow men, and made light of the strict legalism and traditions emphasized by the Pharisees.

In coming to Jesus at this time the Sadducees aimed to embarrass Him with one of their stock questions, which had always been most confusing for the Pharisees, who believed in the resurrection. They anticipated that Jesus would be no more able to give them an answer than were the Pharisees.