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

MATTHEW 28:13KJV
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Matthew 28:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 28:13 mean?

Matthew 28:13 records instructions given to the guards at Jesus’ tomb, telling them to say that Jesus’ disciples came during the night and stole his body while the guards were asleep. This verse shows an attempt to create a false explanation for the empty tomb.

The chief priests are speaking to the Roman guards after Jesus’ resurrection, trying to cover up what happened. They offer the guards a story to spread, aiming to prevent people from believing that Jesus had risen from the dead. The verse highlights the deliberate effort to shape public understanding of the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection.

The Greek behind Matthew 28:13

  • "Saying" (λέγοντες, legontes): This word introduces the instructions, showing that the priests are actively directing the guards on what to report.
  • "Stole" (ἐκλέψαν, eklepsan): This verb means to steal or take secretly, emphasizing the accusation that the disciples acted in secret and with deception.
  • "We slept" (ἡμῶν κοιμωμένων, hēmōn koimōmenōn): The phrase means "while we were sleeping," which would have been a serious admission for Roman guards, since sleeping on duty was a punishable offense. This detail underlines the desperation of the priests’ plan.

Why Matthew 28:13 matters

  • Matthew 28:13 clarifies that the story of the disciples stealing Jesus’ body was not a rumor but a narrative deliberately invented by the authorities.
  • The verse highlights the lengths to which the religious leaders went to suppress the resurrection story, even risking the guards’ reputations and safety.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the contrast between the truth of the resurrection and the human attempts to deny or explain it away.

Where else these words appear

“stole” Greek G2813 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
  • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

“slept” Greek G2837 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
  • Acts 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

“night” Greek G3571 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
  • John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
  • Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,