Matthew 22:23-33 Doctrinal Mockery

On that day some Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Jesus and questioned Him, asking, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up children for his brother.' Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother; so also the second, and the third, down to the seventh. Last of all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her."  But Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.  For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.  But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."  When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching. [Matthew 22:23‭-‬33 NASB]

The Sadducees were the elite, ruling class in Israel, and served in the temple as priests and officers. They were few in number, but held a great deal of power and influence because of their position and wealth. They recognized only the Torah, that is, the first five books of the Old Testament, as scripture, rejecting the books of history and prophecy. They didn't believe in angels or spirits. Since, in their minds, people didn't have a spirit to resurrect, they didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead.

The Sadducees weren't looking for truth from Jesus. The point of the question was to attempt to outwit Jesus. By asking a ridiculous question, they were mocking the concept of the resurrection, and hoped to make it appear foolish and impossible.

This is common tactic which I have seen used over the years by people who disagree with another persons viewpoint. If you want to see a good example of this, just scroll through Facebook. Most of us have a political friend who posts about their opposition. Very few use well reasoned, sound argument to make a case for what they believe, but instead choose to use hyperbole and mockery to denigrate their opponent/victim.

I have seen the same type of thing in the church from those who don't understand another's belief. Take the gifts of the Spirit for example. The gifts are described by Paul:

"But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills." [1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NASB]

I believe that all of the gifts of the Spirit described in 1 Corinthians 12 are a gift to the church, and are active and available today for those who believe. I understand that not everybody believes in the gifts, although I think that they are denying the power of God in their unbelief.

Healing is often mocked by the person affecting the manner of the stereotypical tent preacher/televangelist in the worst way. They compare the gift of prophecy to fortune-telling. And they dismiss speaking in tongues as gobbledygook.

Another example is the rapture. For those who believe in the rapture, there are various theories about the timing, whether pre-trib, mid-trib, of post-trib. I had a college professor who dismissed the post-tribulation rapture by mockingly calling it "the bounce theory". He said, "You get caught up and then bounce right back for the Lord's return." Having so firmly mocked the opposing viewpoint, no further scriptural argument was needed.

Those who don't believe there will be a rapture ridicule the whole concept as a flight of fancy, invariably concluding with "the word's not even found in the Bible." Which is half true. The word "rapture" while not found in most translation means, "to be caught up". As in, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NASB] (By the way, the word, "theology" is not found in the Bible, but we believe in God.)

They love to point out the cults that have prophesied the rapture on a certain date, then have sold everything and sat on a mountain top waiting. By pointing to an extreme, they hope to discredit the entire teaching.

Yes, there have been abuses, as well as some confusion. If you see abuse, then point out the abuse and teach the truth. If you see confusion, then study the scriptures to clarify them.

Beware of mocking another person's doctrine, lest you be found guilty of mocking the Holy Spirit.