Commentary

What does Matthew 28:13 mean?

“Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.” — Matthew 28:13

Matthew 28:13 (KJV) reads, "Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept."

This verse comes from the end of the Gospel of Matthew, in the New Testament. It is part of the account of Jesus' resurrection and the events that followed. In this verse, the chief priests and elders are instructing the guards at the tomb of Jesus to spread a false story to cover up the truth of Jesus' resurrection.

The context of this verse is important to understand the full meaning and significance. In the preceding verses, it is described how an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone from the tomb, and sat upon it. The guards at the tomb were terrified and became as dead men. The angel then spoke to the women who had come to the tomb, telling them not to be afraid and informing them that Jesus had risen from the dead. He instructed them to go and tell the disciples.

After the women left to do as the angel had instructed, the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests and elders then gathered with the elders and devised a plan to cover up the truth of Jesus' resurrection. They paid the guards a large sum of money and instructed them to spread the false story that Jesus' disciples had come by night and stolen his body while the guards were asleep.

The significance of this verse lies in its portrayal of the lengths to which the religious and political authorities of the time were willing to go to suppress the truth of Jesus' resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is the central event of Christianity, and the fact that the religious leaders sought to cover it up reveals the threat that Jesus' teachings and message posed to their authority and power. It also speaks to the fear that the established order had of the radical and transformative nature of Jesus' message.

The theme of deception and falsehood is prominent in this verse. The religious leaders conspired to spread a lie in order to maintain their control and authority. This reflects the ongoing conflict between truth and falsehood, light and darkness, in the spiritual and moral realm. It also serves as a warning against the dangers of deceit and the manipulation of truth for personal or political gain.

Symbolically, the false story concocted by the religious leaders can be seen as representative of the ongoing battle between good and evil, truth and lies. It serves as a reminder of the deceptive nature of sin and the forces that seek to undermine the truth of God's word. It also points to the enduring power of the resurrection as a symbol of hope, truth, and redemption.

In conclusion, Matthew 28:13 (KJV) captures a pivotal moment in the story of Jesus' resurrection and the attempts to suppress the truth of this transformative event. It highlights the themes of deception, power, and the ongoing struggle between truth and falsehood. Symbolically, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring significance of the resurrection and the eternal battle between good and evil.