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

MATTHEW 28:14KJV
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Matthew 28:14 (KJV)

What does Matthew 28:14 mean?

Matthew 28:14 records the chief priests promising the soldiers that if the governor hears about what happened, they will persuade him and keep the soldiers out of trouble. The verse shows the religious leaders assuring the guards that they will handle any fallout from their report about Jesus’ missing body.

The scene takes place after Jesus’ resurrection, when the guards at the tomb report to the chief priests what they witnessed. The priests are speaking to the soldiers, telling them to spread a false story about the disciples stealing Jesus’ body. The priests promise to protect the soldiers from punishment by the Roman governor (likely Pontius Pilate) if their involvement comes to light.

The Greek behind Matthew 28:14

  • πείσομεν (peisomen, "we will persuade"): This word carries the sense of convincing or winning someone over, suggesting the priests are confident they can influence the governor’s decision.
  • ἀσφαλεῖς (asphaleis, "secure you"): The Greek here is often understood as “keep you safe” or “make you free from worry,” indicating the priests are offering the soldiers protection from any consequences.

Why Matthew 28:14 matters

  • This verse highlights the lengths the religious leaders are willing to go to suppress the truth about Jesus’ resurrection, even involving bribery and promises of political protection.
  • It clarifies why the soldiers would agree to spread a false story, since Roman soldiers could face severe punishment for failing in their duties.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the deliberate effort to create an alternative explanation for the empty tomb, shaping how the resurrection was reported and understood in the early days.

Where else these words appear

“secure” Greek G275 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

“governor's” Greek G2232 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
  • Matthew 27:21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.
  • Acts 23:26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

“persuade” Greek G3982 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
  • Acts 23:21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
  • Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

“we” Greek G2249 · used in 121 verses

  • Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  • Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
  • 2 Corinthians 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.