Matthew 28:14

KJV

And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} if {G1437} this {G5124} come {G191} to {G1909} the governor's {G2232} ears {G191}, we {G2249} will persuade {G3982} him {G846}, and {G2532} secure {G275}{G4160} you {G5209}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If the governor hears of it, we will put things right with him and keep you from getting in trouble."

Berean Standard Bible

If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

American Standard Version

And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 28:14 details the desperate attempt by the chief priests and elders to suppress the truth of Jesus' resurrection. After bribing the Roman guards who witnessed the miraculous event, the Jewish leaders assure them that if news of their alleged dereliction of duty reaches the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, they will use their influence to persuade him and ensure the guards face no punishment, thereby securing their participation in spreading the fabricated story that Jesus' disciples stole His body.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the immediate aftermath of Jesus' resurrection, forming a stark contrast to the divine revelation of the empty tomb. Following the earthquake, the angelic appearance, and the terrified flight of the Roman guards, these soldiers reported the astonishing events directly to the chief priests in [Matthew 28:11](/matthew/28-11 "Matthew 28:11 - The Guards' Report"). Instead of repentance or belief, the Jewish leaders, driven by fear and entrenched opposition to Jesus, convened with the elders to concoct a scheme. They bribed the soldiers with a "large sum of money" ([Matthew 28:12](/matthew/28-12 "Matthew 28:12 - The Bribe")) to propagate a false narrative: that Jesus' disciples stole His body while the guards were asleep ([Matthew 28:13](/matthew/28-13 "Matthew 28:13 - The False Story")). Verse 14 provides the critical assurance needed for the guards, who faced severe penalties, possibly death, for sleeping on duty, to agree to this dangerous deception.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire maintained strict military discipline, and dereliction of duty, especially sleeping while on guard, was a capital offense. This severe consequence made the chief priests' promise in [Matthew 28:14](/matthew/28-14 "Matthew 28:14 - The Leaders' Assurance") absolutely vital for the soldiers to accept the bribe and risk their lives by spreading the lie. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, had previously granted the chief priests' request for a guard at the tomb ([Matthew 27:65-66](/matthew/27-65-66 "Matthew 27:65-66 - Pilate Secures the Tomb")), making him the ultimate authority whose wrath the guards feared. The Jewish leaders, though under Roman rule, still wielded significant political and financial influence within Judea, enabling them to attempt to sway Pilate or mitigate any potential charges against the soldiers. This incident also highlights the deep-seated animosity of the Jewish religious establishment towards Jesus, even after His death, demonstrating their determination to suppress any evidence that might validate His claims.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel of Matthew and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **truth versus deception**, revealing the desperate lengths to which human beings will go to suppress inconvenient truths, especially those with divine implications. The chief priests' actions exemplify the **corruption of power and authority**, using their resources not for justice or truth, but to perpetuate a lie. Furthermore, the futility of human efforts to thwart God's sovereign plan is a prominent theme; despite this elaborate conspiracy, the resurrection could not be contained, and the truth of Christ's triumph over death ultimately prevailed and spread throughout the world, as commanded in the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"). Finally, the soldiers' fear of consequences and the leaders' promise of "security" highlight the **human desire for self-preservation** and the lengths people will go to avoid punishment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **come (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From the primary verb meaning "to hear" or "give audience to," here used idiomatically as "come to the ears." It signifies the act of information being received or reported, specifically to the governor. The implication is that if the true account of the resurrection, or even the fabricated story, were to reach Pilate, it would necessitate intervention.
* **persuade (Greek, _peíthō'_):** This verb means "to convince," "to pacify," or "to win over." In this context, it suggests that the chief priests intended to use their influence, arguments, or possibly further bribes, to mollify Governor Pilate and ensure he would not punish the guards for their supposed failure to guard the tomb. It speaks to their political maneuvering and power within the Roman system.
* **secure (Greek, _amérimnos'_):** Derived from a negative particle and the word for "care" or "anxiety," this adjective means "not anxious" or "without care." Combined with the verb "to make" (G4160, _poiéō_), as it is in the Greek, the phrase literally means "we will make you without care" or "free from anxiety." It is a strong assurance of protection from any negative repercussions, highlighting the leaders' commitment to protecting the guards from punishment for participating in the deception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if this come to the governor's ears,"**: This conditional clause sets the premise for the chief priests' promise. "This" refers to the true account of the resurrection as witnessed by the guards, or even the fabricated story of the body being stolen. The phrase "come to the governor's ears" signifies the news reaching Pontius Pilate, the Roman authority responsible for the guards and the security of the tomb. The implication is that such news would naturally provoke an investigation and potential severe punishment for the guards.
* **"we will persuade him,"**: This is the first part of the chief priests' assurance. "We" refers to the chief priests and elders, indicating their collective power and influence. "Him" refers to Pontius Pilate. The act of "persuading" suggests that they would leverage their political connections, their standing in the Jewish community, or even financial incentives, to convince Pilate not to pursue charges or inflict punishment upon the guards. It highlights their willingness to manipulate the Roman legal system for their own ends.
* **"and secure you."**: This is the second, and perhaps more crucial, part of the leaders' promise to the guards. To "secure you" means to make them safe, free from anxiety, and protected from the severe consequences of their supposed dereliction of duty. This assurance was essential for the guards to agree to the dangerous lie, as it directly addressed their primary fear of Roman military justice. It underscores the depth of the conspiracy and the lengths to which the Jewish authorities would go to ensure the lie's propagation.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 28:14 employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Irony** is prominent, as the very authorities who sought to prevent Jesus' resurrection through a guarded tomb are now actively engaged in a conspiracy to suppress the undeniable evidence of that resurrection. Their efforts, intended to secure their power, ultimately highlight the futility of human opposition to divine truth. The verse also serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the ongoing conflict between truth and falsehood that would characterize the spread of the Gospel. The desperate measures taken by the Jewish leaders underscore the spiritual battle for hearts and minds. Furthermore, there is a subtle **contrast** between the divine power manifested in the resurrection and the earthly, corrupt power wielded by the chief priests, demonstrating the ultimate triumph of God's plan over human machinations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 28:14 stands as a stark testament to the human propensity to reject and actively suppress divine truth when it challenges established power structures or deeply held prejudices. The chief priests' actions reveal a profound spiritual blindness and a preference for convenient lies over uncomfortable, miraculous reality. This verse underscores the enduring conflict between light and darkness, truth and deception, a battle that continues throughout human history. It reminds us that the greatest truths often face the fiercest opposition, yet God's sovereign plan cannot ultimately be thwarted by human conspiracy or corruption. The resurrection of Jesus, despite all attempts to silence it, became the foundational truth upon which the Christian faith was built, demonstrating the ultimate triumph of God's power and truth over all human resistance.

* [John 8:44](/john/8-44 "John 8:44 - The Father of Lies"): Jesus identifies Satan as the "father of lies," providing a theological backdrop for understanding the source of such deliberate deception.
* [Acts 5:38-39](/acts/5-38-39 "Acts 5:38-39 - Gamaliel's Counsel"): Gamaliel's counsel to the Sanhedrin, "if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow them," perfectly encapsulates the futility of the chief priests' efforts against the resurrection.
* [2 Thessalonians 2:9-12](/2_thessalonians/2-9-12 "2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 - The Deceiver's Work"): This passage speaks of the "deceit of unrighteousness" for those who "did not receive the love of the truth," echoing the spiritual condition of those who actively suppress the truth of Christ's resurrection.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 28:14 serves as a powerful reminder that the truth of the Gospel, particularly the resurrection of Jesus, has always faced opposition, not merely from ignorance but from deliberate suppression. In a world saturated with misinformation and competing narratives, this passage calls believers to a heightened sense of discernment and an unwavering commitment to truth. We are challenged to recognize the various forms of "persuasion" and "security" offered by worldly systems that seek to silence or distort the liberating message of Christ. Just as the chief priests could not ultimately contain the resurrection, no human effort can ultimately thwart God's purposes or extinguish the light of His truth. This should embolden us to stand firm, speak boldly, and live authentically in the face of opposition, trusting that the power of God's truth will ultimately prevail, transforming hearts and minds despite all attempts at deception. Our mission is to proclaim the unvarnished truth of Christ, knowing that while lies may gain temporary traction, they cannot withstand the eternal reality of God's redemptive work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I see "truth suppression" or "deception" at work in the world today, particularly concerning spiritual matters?**
* **How might I be tempted to compromise or remain silent about the truth of the Gospel to "secure" myself from social or professional repercussions?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper love for truth and a greater discernment against deceptive narratives in my own life?**
* **How does the ultimate failure of the chief priests' conspiracy encourage me in my faith and witness?**

### FAQ
**Why were the chief priests so determined to suppress the truth of the resurrection?**

Answer: The chief priests were deeply invested in maintaining their religious and political authority, which was directly threatened by Jesus' claims to divinity and His messianic identity. His resurrection would have unequivocally validated His claims, undermining their power and exposing their role in His crucifixion. They feared a mass conversion of the people to belief in Jesus, which would disrupt the existing order and potentially provoke further Roman intervention. Their actions in [Matthew 28:11-15](/matthew/28-11-15 "Matthew 28:11-15 - The Guards' Report and the Bribe") reveal a desperate attempt to cling to control by fabricating a counter-narrative, even in the face of undeniable divine intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 28:14, though detailing an act of human deception, paradoxically highlights the uncontainable power and ultimate triumph of Christ. The chief priests' desperate attempt to "persuade" Pilate and "secure" the guards from punishment underscores the profound threat the resurrected Christ posed to their earthly authority and the futility of any human effort to thwart God's divine plan. Far from being suppressed, the truth of Jesus' resurrection became the cornerstone of the Christian faith, proclaimed by His disciples who, unlike the bribed guards, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to this very event ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Holy Spirit and Witnessing")). The empty tomb and the subsequent spread of the Gospel worldwide, despite intense persecution and continued opposition, serve as irrefutable proof that no amount of human conspiracy or political maneuvering could silence the living Christ. Indeed, the very lie they propagated inadvertently drew more attention to the empty tomb, ultimately magnifying the truth of the One who conquered death, making Him the central figure of history and the hope of humanity ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). This verse, therefore, points to Christ as the ultimate Truth who cannot be suppressed, the Victor over death and deception, whose kingdom advances not by human lies but by divine power and the faithful witness of His followers ([1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Resurrection of Christ")).

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 27:2

And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Acts 12:19

And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that [they] should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and [there] abode.