Matthew 27:63

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context

Matthew 27:63 takes place immediately after the crucifixion of Jesus and His burial in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The verse records the chief priests and Pharisees approaching Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, with a specific request. Their concern was not merely about the deceased Jesus, but about His powerful claims made while alive. They remembered, with apprehension, Jesus' repeated prophecies regarding His resurrection. Their use of the derogatory term "that deceiver" reveals their deep-seated hostility and outright rejection of Jesus' divine authority and message. This interaction sets the stage for the guarding of the tomb, a measure they hoped would prevent any purported resurrection and thus discredit Jesus' followers.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Prophecy of Resurrection: This verse highlights that Jesus had explicitly and publicly predicted His resurrection. Even His enemies remembered these prophecies, confirming their widespread knowledge. This foresight underscores Jesus' unique authority and divine knowledge, as seen in passages like Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:23, and Matthew 20:19.
  • Unbelief and Hostility: The religious leaders' reference to Jesus as "that deceiver" (Greek: planos, meaning 'one who leads astray' or 'impostor') signifies their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, they chose to interpret His claims as fraudulent. Their actions here are driven by fear that Jesus' disciples might steal the body and then claim He had risen, thereby validating what they considered a deception.
  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Opposition: Ironically, the very measures taken by the chief priests and Pharisees to prevent the resurrection (guarding the tomb, sealing the stone) ended up providing irrefutable evidence for it. Their attempts to thwart God's plan only served to highlight the miraculous nature of Jesus' actual resurrection.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "deceiver" is planos (πλάνος). It carries the sense of a wanderer, one who leads others astray, or an imposter. The religious leaders used this term to discredit Jesus completely, suggesting He was a fraud who misled the people. This term reflects their profound spiritual opposition and their deliberate rejection of Jesus' identity as the Messiah.

Practical Application

Matthew 27:63 reminds us that even those who vehemently oppose God's truth cannot prevent His plan from unfolding. The fears of Jesus' enemies inadvertently led to actions that strengthened the evidence for His resurrection. For believers, this verse reinforces the certainty of Jesus' victory over death and the reliability of His words. It also highlights the reality that even clear prophecies can be dismissed by those unwilling to believe, urging us to examine our own hearts and willingness to accept divine truth. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, offering hope and the promise of new life.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 9:22 (7 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    ¶ 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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • Mark 10:34 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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