Matthew 27:63

KJV

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, Sir {G2962}, we remember {G3415} that {G3754} that {G1565} deceiver {G4108} said {G2036}, while he was yet {G2089} alive {G2198}, After {G3326} three {G5140} days {G2250} I will rise again {G1453}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said, "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was still alive, `After three days I will be raised.'

Berean Standard Bible

“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’

American Standard Version

saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:63 captures the profound anxiety and deep-seated hostility of the chief priests and Pharisees following Jesus' crucifixion. Confronting Pontius Pilate, they recall Jesus' explicit prophecy of His resurrection, a claim they dismiss as the deceit of an impostor. Their urgent request for a guarded tomb, intended to prevent any fabricated resurrection, ironically sets the stage for undeniable proof of God's sovereign power and the truthfulness of Jesus' words.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the burial of Jesus in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb, as recounted in [Matthew 27:57-61](/matthew/27-57-61 "Matthew 27:57-61 - Jesus' Burial"). The chief priests and Pharisees, having successfully orchestrated Jesus' execution, now turn their attention to preventing any post-mortem claims of His divine authority. Their concern is not that Jesus might actually rise, but that His disciples might steal the body and then falsely proclaim His resurrection, thereby validating His "deception" and potentially inciting further unrest among the populace. This passage directly precedes the sealing and guarding of the tomb in [Matthew 27:64-66](/matthew/27-64-66 "Matthew 27:64-66 - The Guarding of the Tomb"), which ironically provides external, hostile witnesses to the empty tomb on Easter morning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The chief priests and Pharisees represented the religious and political establishment of Judaism under Roman occupation. Their fear stemmed from a combination of theological rejection of Jesus as Messiah and pragmatic concern for maintaining their authority and the precarious peace with Rome. Prophecies of resurrection, while present in Jewish thought (e.g., Daniel 12:2, Isaiah 26:19), were not widely expected to occur for an individual before the general resurrection at the end of days. Jesus' claims, therefore, were seen as blasphemous and dangerously disruptive. Pilate, as the Roman governor, was responsible for maintaining order. The Jewish leaders' appeal to him underscores their reliance on Roman power to suppress what they perceived as a threat to their religious and social order, even after Jesus' death.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. It highlights the persistent **unbelief and opposition** of the religious leaders, who, despite overwhelming evidence and Jesus' own clear prophecies, remained hardened in their rejection of Him. Their derogatory label "that deceiver" (G4108, _plános_) underscores their spiritual blindness and malice. Furthermore, the passage reinforces the theme of **divine sovereignty** triumphing over human opposition; the very measures taken to prevent the resurrection inadvertently serve to confirm its reality. Finally, it emphasizes the significance of **Jesus' resurrection prophecies**, demonstrating that His enemies were well aware of His claims, which were central to His identity and mission, as seen in passages like [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection"), [Matthew 17:23](/matthew/17-23 "Matthew 17:23 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection a Second Time"), and [Matthew 20:19](/matthew/20-19 "Matthew 20:19 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection a Third Time").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deceiver (Greek, _plános'_):** This term (G4108) carries the sense of a wanderer, one who leads others astray, or an impostor. The chief priests and Pharisees use this word to completely discredit Jesus, framing Him as a fraud who misled the people. It reveals their profound spiritual opposition and their deliberate rejection of Jesus' identity as the Messiah, reducing His divine claims to mere trickery.
* **Alive (Greek, _záō'_):** The verb (G2198) means "to live" in both a literal and figurative sense. The phrase "while he was yet alive" emphasizes that Jesus' claims about His resurrection were made publicly and repeatedly before His death. This detail is crucial because it confirms that His enemies were fully aware of His prophecies, making their subsequent actions to guard the tomb a direct response to His pre-mortem declarations.
* **Rise again (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb (G1453) means to waken or rouse, whether literally from sleep, from lying, from disease, or, most significantly here, from death. It implies a raising up or an awakening from a state of non-existence or inactivity. The religious leaders' remembrance of Jesus' use of this term highlights the specificity and clarity of His resurrection prophecies, which they now desperately seek to nullify.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, Sir,"**: This opening indicates the formal address by the chief priests and Pharisees to Pontius Pilate. The term "Sir" (Greek, _kýrios'_ - G2962) is a respectful, albeit pragmatic, address to the Roman governor, acknowledging his authority in their request. It underscores the gravity of their appeal and their reliance on secular power to counter what they perceived as a religious threat.
* **"we remember that that deceiver said,"**: This clause reveals the core of their concern and their profound contempt for Jesus. Their "remembrance" (Greek, _mnáomai'_ - G3415) is not one of reverence but of apprehension. By labeling Jesus "that deceiver" (Greek, _plános'_ - G4108), they publicly denounce Him as a charlatan, attempting to delegitimize His entire ministry and prophetic claims. This accusation highlights their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness, refusing to acknowledge any truth in His words.
* **"while he was yet alive,"**: This phrase emphasizes the pre-crucifixion nature of Jesus' prophecy. It confirms that Jesus had openly and repeatedly spoken of His resurrection before His death. This fact is significant because it means the religious leaders were not reacting to a new, post-mortem claim by His disciples, but to a well-known, public declaration made by Jesus Himself.
* **"After three days I will rise again."**: This is the precise prophecy that haunts the religious leaders. It demonstrates Jesus' clear and consistent foreknowledge of His resurrection on the third day. Their accurate recollection of this specific timeframe underscores the widespread knowledge of Jesus' claims and sets the precise condition they fear will be "fulfilled" by His disciples. This prophecy, though spoken by Jesus, is here recounted by His enemies, adding an ironic layer of validation to its truthfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:63 employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very efforts of Jesus' enemies to prevent His resurrection inadvertently provide undeniable proof of it. Their fear of a fabricated resurrection leads them to secure the tomb, which then makes the actual resurrection even more miraculous and verifiable. **Characterization** is also key, as the chief priests and Pharisees are depicted as deeply hostile and spiritually blind, referring to Jesus as "that deceiver." This derogatory label not only reveals their contempt but also their complete rejection of His divine identity and mission. Finally, the verse contains an element of **foreshadowing**, as the religious leaders' recollection of Jesus' prophecy ("After three days I will rise again") directly anticipates the miraculous event of the resurrection detailed in [Matthew 28](/matthew/28 "Matthew 28 - The Resurrection of Jesus").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:63 serves as a pivotal moment, highlighting the clash between human opposition and divine sovereignty. The religious leaders, driven by fear and unbelief, attempt to control the narrative surrounding Jesus' death, yet their actions unwittingly contribute to the irrefutable evidence of His resurrection. This verse underscores the certainty of Jesus' victory over death, a truth that even His enemies could not ignore, though they misinterpreted its source. It powerfully demonstrates that God's plan of salvation, centered on the resurrection of His Son, cannot be thwarted by human machinations or hostility. The very attempts to suppress the truth ultimately serve to illuminate it more brightly.

* [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Jesus' First Prediction of His Death and Resurrection")
* [Matthew 17:23](/matthew/17-23 "Jesus' Second Prediction of His Death and Resurrection")
* [Matthew 20:19](/matthew/20-19 "Jesus' Third Prediction of His Death and Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:63 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's purposes are immutable and will ultimately prevail, regardless of human opposition or skepticism. The fears of Jesus' enemies, leading them to guard the tomb, inadvertently strengthened the evidence for His resurrection, demonstrating God's ability to use even the resistance of His adversaries to accomplish His will. For us, this reinforces the absolute reliability of Jesus' promises and the foundational truth of His victory over death. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we quick to dismiss truths that challenge our preconceived notions, or are we open to God's revelation, even when it seems impossible? The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, offering not only historical certainty but also the living hope of new life, forgiveness, and eternal communion with God. This passage encourages us to stand firm in our faith, knowing that the God who raised Jesus from the dead is sovereign over all circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the chief priests' and Pharisees' remembering of Jesus' prophecy challenge your own understanding of how God's truth can be known even by those who oppose it?**
* **In what ways might our own fears or preconceived notions prevent us from fully embracing God's truth, similar to the religious leaders?**
* **How does the irony of the tomb's guarding strengthen your faith in the undeniable reality of Jesus' resurrection?**
* **What specific "promises" of Jesus do you need to remember and trust in more deeply in your current life circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Who are "we" in Matthew 27:63, and why are they speaking to Pilate?**
Answer: The "we" refers to the chief priests and Pharisees, the leading religious and political authorities among the Jewish people at that time. They are speaking to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, because he holds the ultimate civil and military authority in the region. Having successfully orchestrated Jesus' crucifixion, they now seek Pilate's permission and resources (Roman guards) to secure Jesus' tomb. Their motivation is to prevent Jesus' disciples from stealing the body and then claiming He had risen, which they feared would validate Jesus' "deception" and cause further unrest, potentially jeopardizing their own standing with Rome.

**Why do the chief priests and Pharisees call Jesus "that deceiver"?**
Answer: The term "deceiver" (Greek, _plános_) reflects their profound contempt and outright rejection of Jesus' identity and teachings. They viewed Jesus' claims, particularly His messianic claims and His prophecies of resurrection, as fraudulent and dangerous lies designed to mislead the people. By labeling Him a "deceiver," they sought to discredit Him completely and justify their actions in having Him crucified. This label also reveals their spiritual blindness, as they refused to acknowledge the divine power and truth evident in Jesus' miracles and words.

**What prophecies did Jesus make about His resurrection that they remembered?**
Answer: Jesus repeatedly and explicitly prophesied His death and resurrection to His disciples throughout His ministry. While the Gospels record these predictions primarily to His inner circle, it's clear from this verse that the knowledge of these prophecies extended to His enemies. Key instances where Jesus foretold His resurrection include [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection"), where He first tells His disciples He must suffer, be killed, and be raised on the third day; [Matthew 17:23](/matthew/17-23 "Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection a Second Time"), where He states He will be betrayed and killed, and on the third day be raised; and [Matthew 20:19](/matthew/20-19 "Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection a Third Time"), where He speaks of being delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, scourged, crucified, and raised on the third day. These consistent prophecies confirm Jesus' unique foreknowledge and divine authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:63, though spoken by Jesus' enemies, powerfully underscores the centrality of His resurrection to God's redemptive plan. The very prophecy that the chief priests and Pharisees sought to nullify—"After three days I will rise again"—is the ultimate testament to Jesus' identity as the Christ. His resurrection is not merely a historical event; it is the divine affirmation of His claims, the vindication of His suffering, and the cornerstone of Christian faith. As the [apostle Paul declared](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection"), Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead." His rising from the grave signifies His triumph over sin and death, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies (e.g., [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - You Will Not Abandon My Soul to Sheol")) and demonstrating His authority as the [Lord of life](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). For believers, Jesus' resurrection guarantees our own future resurrection and provides the living hope of new life in Him, as [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of Christ") so eloquently articulates. The "deceiver" they sought to contain proved to be the conqueror of death, ushering in an everlasting kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 9:22

Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

Matthew 16:21

¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify [him]: and the third day he shall rise again.

Luke 18:33

And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Mark 10:34

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Mark 8:31

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and [of] the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Matthew 17:23

And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.