26 But about the dead, that they are raised; haven't you read in the book of Moses, about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'?
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
How in the bush - At the burning bush. See Exodus 3:16. The meaning is, "in that part of the book of Exodus which contains the account of the burning bush. When there were no chapters and verses, it was the easiest way of quoting a book of the Old Testament "by the subject," and in this way it was often done by the Jews.
And as touching the dead, that they rise,.... For the proof of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead,
have ye not read in the book of Moses; that is, in the law of Moses; for though it was divided into five parts, it was but one book; just as the Psalm are called the Book of Psalm, Acts 1:20, and the Prophets, the Book of the Prophets, Acts 7:42. The book of Exodus is particularly intended; for the passage referred to is in Exodus 3:6,
how in the bush God spake unto him, or "out of the bush", as the Syriac and Persic versions read;
saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? See Gill on Matthew 22:31, Matthew 22:32.
And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses--"even Moses" (Luke 20:37), whom they had just quoted for the purpose of entangling Him.
how in the bush God spake unto him--either "at the bush," as the same expression is rendered in Luke 20:37, that is, when he was there; or "in the [section of his history regarding the] bush." The structure of our verse suggests the latter sense, which is not unusual.
saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?-- (Exodus 3:6).
*More commentary available at chapter level.