King James Version

What Does Matthew 28:13 Mean?

Matthew 28:13 in the King James Version says “Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 28:13 · KJV

Context

11

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13

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

14

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

15

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. The fabricated story is absurd on its face. If the guards 'slept' (κοιμωμένων ἡμῶν/koimōmenōn hēmōn), how could they know who took the body? Sleeping witnesses cannot testify to events during sleep. Roman soldiers sleeping on duty faced execution; admitting they slept was potentially suicidal yet this was their ordered story.

'His disciples came by night' (Οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς ἐλθόντες/Hoi mathētai autou nyktos elthontes) portrays the disciples as grave robbers. But these same disciples were hiding in terror, having fled when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:56). Peter had denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75). They showed no courage or coordination that would enable overpowering armed guards and moving a massive stone in darkness.

'Stole him away' (ἔκλεψαν αὐτόν/eklepsan auton)—the verb means to steal, take secretly. This accusation implies criminal activity. Yet if disciples stole the body, why did they leave grave clothes neatly arranged (John 20:6-7)? Thieves in a hurry would have taken the entire shrouded body, not carefully unwrapped it.

Most decisively, would the disciples die for a known lie? History records that most apostles were martyred for preaching resurrection (tradition and early church testimony, though not all deaths are biblically recorded). People may die for a believed falsehood, but they don't suffer martyrdom for a conspiracy they fabricated. The disciples' willingness to die for resurrection testimony confirms they genuinely believed it—and they were in position to know whether it was true.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This theft allegation was the primary Jewish polemic against Christianity in the early centuries. Justin Martyr (c. AD 150) records that Jewish authorities sent messengers throughout the Roman world to spread this claim. Origen (c. AD 248) notes that Jews of his day still made this accusation.

The story's persistence actually confirms the empty tomb's reality. If Jesus's body remained in the tomb, authorities could have simply produced it, ending Christianity immediately. That they resorted to theft allegations proves they couldn't produce the body. The debate was never whether the tomb was empty but why it was empty.

The charge also inadvertently supports Gospel reliability. If Christians fabricated resurrection stories, they would never have included this embarrassing detail that their own testimony was publicly contradicted and dismissed. The inclusion of this counter-narrative suggests Matthew recorded what actually happened, including details unfavorable to Christian claims.

The sealed tomb and guard were meant to prevent precisely what they now accused—theft by disciples. The irony is that these very precautions (demanded by chief priests themselves, Matthew 27:64) made theft virtually impossible, strengthening the case that supernatural resurrection occurred.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the illogical nature of the theft story (sleeping guards as witnesses) illustrate how unbelief leads to irrational explanations when rejecting obvious truth?
  2. What does the apostles' later willingness to die for resurrection testimony tell us about the objective reality of what they witnessed versus subjective hallucination or fraud?
  3. Why would Matthew include this embarrassing detail about a counter-narrative against resurrection rather than omitting it if he were fabricating the account?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
λέγοντες1 of 12

“Saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Εἴπατε2 of 12

“Say ye”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὅτι3 of 12
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Οἱ4 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθηταὶ5 of 12

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτὸν6 of 12

“His”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

νυκτὸς7 of 12

“by night”

G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

ἐλθόντες8 of 12

“came”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἔκλεψαν9 of 12

“and stole”

G2813

to filch

αὐτὸν10 of 12

“His”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἡμῶν11 of 12

“away while we”

G2257

of (or from) us

κοιμωμένων12 of 12

“slept”

G2837

to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 28:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 28:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:64

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