Matthew 28:13

KJV

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him [away] while we slept.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, Say ye {G2036},{G3754} His {G846} disciples {G3101} came {G2064} by night {G3571}, and stole {G2813} him {G846} away while we {G2257} slept {G2837}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to them, "Tell people, `His talmidim came during the night and stole his body while we were sleeping.'

Berean Standard Bible

and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’

American Standard Version

saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 28:13 details the desperate and deceitful scheme concocted by the chief priests and elders to suppress the truth of Jesus' resurrection. Following the astonishing events at the tomb—an earthquake, an angelic appearance, and the empty grave—the Roman guards, terrified witnesses to these supernatural occurrences, reported them to the Jewish authorities. Rather than acknowledging God's power, the religious leaders bribed the guards to propagate a fabricated story: that Jesus' disciples had come by night and stolen His body while the guards were asleep, a narrative designed to discredit the resurrection and maintain their control.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a crucial juncture in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following the climactic account of Jesus' resurrection in [Matthew 28:1-10](/matthew/28-1-10 "Matthew 28:1-10 - The Resurrection Account"). The women have encountered the risen Christ, and the guards, having witnessed the angel and the empty tomb, are in a state of profound fear. [Matthew 28:11](/matthew/28-11 "Matthew 28:11 - The Guards' Report") explicitly states that some of the guards went into the city and reported "all that had happened" to the chief priests. This direct report of the miraculous events sets the stage for the authorities' swift and cynical response in [Matthew 28:12-15](/matthew/28-12-15 "Matthew 28:12-15 - The Guards Bribed"). The lie presented in verse 13 is the core of their counter-narrative, an attempt to rationalize away the undeniable evidence of the resurrection, which directly precedes the Great Commission in [Matthew 28:16-20](/matthew/28-16-20 "Matthew 28:16-20 - The Great Commission"), highlighting the stark contrast between human deception and divine truth.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish religious authorities, particularly the chief priests and elders, were deeply invested in maintaining their power and the existing religious order. Jesus' ministry, teachings, and claims of divinity had consistently challenged their authority, culminating in His crucifixion. The resurrection, if acknowledged, would unequivocally validate Jesus' claims and utterly dismantle their religious and political standing. Roman guards were highly disciplined and faced severe penalties, even death, for dereliction of duty, especially for falling asleep on watch. The fact that the chief priests had to offer "a large sum of money" ([Matthew 28:12](/matthew/28-12 "Matthew 28:12 - The Bribing of the Guards")) underscores the gravity of the guards' potential punishment and the immense pressure they were under, making the bribery a necessary and costly measure for the authorities. This bribe also highlights the lengths to which the Jewish leaders would go to suppress the truth, leveraging both their religious influence and financial resources.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 28:13 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it starkly illustrates the **suppression of truth** and the human tendency to reject inconvenient realities, particularly when they threaten established power structures. The religious leaders actively chose to invent a lie rather than confront the implications of Jesus' resurrection, demonstrating their spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, a theme seen throughout Jesus' encounters with them in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). Secondly, it highlights the persistent **human opposition to God's plan** and revealed truth. Despite overwhelming evidence of divine intervention, human authorities conspire against God's purposes, attempting to discredit the central event of Christian faith. Finally, the inherent **weakness and illogical nature of lies** is exposed. The fabricated story, which claims the guards were asleep yet knew who stole the body, is self-refuting, underscoring the desperation and flimsiness of human deception in the face of divine power, a theme that contrasts sharply with the unshakeable truth of God's kingdom as presented in [Matthew 13](/matthew/13 "Matthew 13 - Parables of the Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** From G3101, meaning "a learner, i.e., pupil." In this context, it refers to Jesus' followers who were taught by Him. The lie specifically targets them as the perpetrators, attempting to paint them as grave robbers rather than devout followers of a resurrected Lord. This choice of word aims to discredit Jesus' entire movement by slandering His closest associates.
* **stole (Greek, _kléptō'_):** From G2813, a primary verb meaning "to filch" or "to steal." This word is central to the fabricated narrative, accusing the disciples of a criminal act—the theft of a body. The implication is that Jesus' resurrection was not a divine act but a human deception orchestrated by His followers, thereby undermining the very foundation of the Christian message.
* **slept (Greek, _koimáō'_):** From G2837, meaning "to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease." The guards' alleged state of sleep is crucial to the lie, as it provides a supposed explanation for how the body could have been taken without their knowledge. However, it simultaneously renders their testimony about the perpetrators impossible, highlighting the inherent absurdity and self-contradictory nature of the fabricated story.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, Say ye,"**: This opening phrase reveals the imperative nature of the instruction given to the guards. The chief priests and elders are not merely suggesting a story but are commanding the guards to propagate a specific, pre-determined lie. It underscores the active role of the authorities in orchestrating this deception.
* **"His disciples came by night,"**: This clause identifies the alleged perpetrators and the timing of the supposed theft. By claiming the disciples acted "by night," the narrative attempts to lend an air of stealth and secrecy to the fabricated event, making it seem plausible that they could have evaded detection. This part of the lie directly slanders Jesus' followers.
* **"and stole him [away] while we slept."**: This final clause describes the alleged action and, critically, the supposed condition of the guards. The claim that the guards were "asleep" is the linchpin of the lie, providing an excuse for their failure to prevent the "theft." However, this very detail exposes the lie's fatal flaw: if they were truly asleep, they could not possibly have known who committed the act, rendering their testimony about the disciples utterly baseless and illogical.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 28:13 employs several literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Irony**, specifically dramatic irony, as the reader knows the truth of the resurrection, making the chief priests' desperate lie all the more absurd and futile. The guards' claim of sleeping while simultaneously identifying the "thieves" is a prime example of **Logical Fallacy** (specifically, a non sequitur or self-refuting statement), highlighting the inherent irrationality of the fabricated story. The entire scenario functions as **Foil**, contrasting the divine, undeniable power of God's resurrection with the feeble, human attempts to suppress it through deception. Furthermore, the narrative of the bribed guards and their false testimony serves as a form of **Propaganda**, illustrating the lengths to which those in power will go to control a narrative and maintain their authority, even at the expense of truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 28:13 stands as a stark testament to the human heart's capacity for hardened resistance against divine truth, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. The chief priests and elders, rather than repenting or acknowledging God's power displayed in the resurrection, chose to double down on their opposition, illustrating a profound spiritual blindness. This act of deliberate deception underscores the ongoing spiritual battle between truth and falsehood, light and darkness, a theme woven throughout biblical history. It reveals that the greatest obstacles to faith are often not a lack of evidence, but a willful rejection of what is clearly revealed, driven by fear, pride, and the desire to maintain control.

* [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Love Darkness Rather Than Light"): "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Peter's Bold Declaration"): "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
* [2 Timothy 3:8](/2_timothy/3-8 "2 Timothy 3:8 - Resisting the Truth"): "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 28:13 serves as a powerful reminder that truth often faces fierce opposition, especially when it challenges prevailing narratives or comfortable assumptions. In every age, there are those who seek to discredit God's word and the reality of Christ's work, often through deceptive means. This verse calls believers to a profound discernment, urging us to be vigilant against false narratives, even those propagated by influential figures or institutions. It strengthens our conviction in the unshakeable truth of the Gospel, as the very desperation of its opponents to invent an elaborate lie only underscores the undeniable power and reality of Jesus' resurrection. We are encouraged to stand firm in this truth, knowing that the cornerstone of our faith is an event so profound that even its adversaries could only resort to illogical fabrication. This narrative should embolden us to proclaim the truth of Jesus' victory over death with courage and clarity, despite any opposition or attempts to suppress it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the chief priests' response to the resurrection challenge my own willingness to confront inconvenient truths in my life?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to compromise or dilute the truth of the Gospel to make it more palatable to others?**
* **How can I better discern between truth and falsehood in the narratives presented by the world around me?**
* **What does the failure of this elaborate lie tell me about the ultimate triumph of God's truth?**

### FAQ

**Why did the chief priests and elders choose this specific lie, and was it effective?**

Answer: The chief priests and elders chose this specific lie—that the disciples stole the body while the guards slept—because it was the only narrative that could *seemingly* explain the empty tomb without acknowledging the resurrection. It attempted to shift blame to the disciples and portray Jesus' followers as deceivers. While it might have convinced some who were already predisposed to disbelieve, or those who simply preferred a human explanation over a divine miracle, it was inherently flawed. As the commentary notes, if the guards were truly asleep, they could not have known who took the body. [Matthew 28:15](/matthew/28-15 "Matthew 28:15 - The Spread of the Lie") indicates that "this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day," suggesting it gained some traction, but it ultimately failed to stop the spread of the Gospel, which was predicated on the actual resurrection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 28:13, though detailing a human attempt to suppress the truth, ultimately serves to highlight the undeniable reality of Christ's triumph over death. The desperate fabrication of the chief priests and elders underscores the profound significance of the resurrection, an event so powerful that even its enemies could only resort to illogical lies to explain it away. This verse, therefore, indirectly points to Jesus as the resurrected Lord, whose victory could not be contained by a tomb or silenced by deception. His resurrection is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering and vindication, as seen in passages like [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - Prophecy of Resurrection") and [Isaiah 53:10-12](/isaiah/53-10-12 "Isaiah 53:10-12 - The Suffering Servant's Vindication"). The lie itself, by attempting to negate the resurrection, inadvertently testifies to its world-altering impact, an impact that would lead to the Great Commission in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"), empowering His disciples to proclaim the truth that the authorities sought to bury. Jesus' victory over death, despite human opposition, ensures that His followers are not merely propagating a stolen body, but proclaiming the living Savior, the "firstfruits of those who are asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). The futility of the lie ultimately magnifies the glory of the Risen Christ, whose power transcends all human attempts at suppression, guaranteeing the truth of the Gospel for all generations ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")).

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

Matthew 26:64

Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.