Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· πλανᾶσθε μὴ εἰδότες τὰς γραφὰς μηδὲ τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ· (Matthew 22:29)
But answering, Jesus said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
Exegetical Analysis
The participle ἀποκριθεὶς (“answering”) introduces Jesus’ reply, functioning as a standard narrative marker in Koine Greek for verbal interaction. It links directly with εἶπεν (“he said”), providing a formal structure to the confrontation. The main assertion is contained in the second-person plural verb πλανᾶσθε (“You are mistaken”), present passive indicative, showing that the error is both active and ongoing. The verb comes from πλανάω, a term frequently used for theological and moral deception, especially self-deception. The participial phrase μὴ εἰδότες explains the cause of their error: not knowing. The negative particle μὴ governs the participle εἰδότες (perfect active participle of οἶδα), implying a settled ignorance rather than mere lack of exposure. What is not known are two parallel objects: τὰς γραφὰς (“the Scriptures”) and τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ (“the power of God”), connected by μηδὲ – a negated conjunction that reinforces the dual deficiency. The parallelism highlights two dimensions of revelation: the textual and the experiential.
Interpreting the Sacred Patterns
This rebuke is issued to the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection and restricted their Scripture to the Pentateuch. Jesus challenges not only their conclusions but the very foundation of their theological method. The charge πλανᾶσθε reveals that they are not merely misinformed but fundamentally misled. The participle εἰδότες intensifies the critique by pointing to a persistent and culpable ignorance. Their error lies not in bad logic but in spiritual blindness to two sources of truth: the written word and divine action. The term τὰς γραφὰς carries weight in the Gospel of Matthew, often referring to the authoritative corpus of Jewish Scripture. By coupling it with τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ, Jesus reasserts that true doctrine must be grounded both in the revealed text and in the living reality of God’s power, particularly His power to raise the dead. This union is essential: knowledge of the Scriptures without belief in God’s power becomes fossilized tradition. Belief in power without Scripture leads to delusion.
Where Word Meets Worship
This verse speaks to every age tempted to separate orthodoxy from encounter. The warning of πλανᾶσθε echoes still: many are in error not because they deny Scripture outright, but because they read without illumination. Jesus calls the religious elite back to a twofold fidelity, both to the written word and to the sovereign power behind it. To know the Scriptures rightly is to see the pattern of resurrection and redemption running through them. To know the power of God is to trust that what He has promised, He is able to perform. The rebuke is also a gracious invitation. Jesus does not dismiss their question but redirects it toward truth. Worship begins with humble correction. Theology begins with repentance from presumption. And the soul that embraces both Scripture and Spirit finds itself no longer wandering, but anchored.
Exegetical Feature Table
| Greek Word | Form | Lexical Meaning | Interpretive Role | Exegetical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πλανᾶσθε | Present passive indicative 2nd person plural | “You are deceived” | Main rebuke | Indicates an ongoing, passive but culpable state of error |
| μὴ εἰδότες | Perfect active participle nominative plural masculine | “not knowing” | Cause of the error | Implies settled ignorance; not merely lacking facts but insight |
| τὰς γραφὰς | Accusative feminine plural | “the Scriptures” | Object of ignorance | Refers to the written revelation, likely Torah and beyond |
| δύναμιν τοῦ Θεοῦ | Accusative with genitive modifier | “power of God” | Second object of ignorance | Points to divine agency, especially regarding resurrection |
Correction Is the Beginning of Wisdom
Jesus does not flinch in correcting those who err, yet His correction is not cruelty. It is the opening of a path. The Sadducees erred not simply by misunderstanding resurrection, but by severing God’s written word from God’s living power. This fracture leads to distortion. The same risk remains today. Sound theology depends on both accurate exegesis and active faith. To know the Scriptures without awe is to read in the dark. To claim divine power without Scripture is to dream without anchor. But when the two meet, when the word is rightly known and God’s power rightly trusted, truth emerges. Christ’s rebuke remains a gift: the start of repentance, the invitation to come and see what the Scriptures truly say, and to believe in what God truly does.
