King James Version

What Does Matthew 28:14 Mean?

Matthew 28:14 in the King James Version says “And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 28:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

Read Matthew 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. The chief priests anticipated potential consequences. Roman soldiers sleeping on duty could be executed. Temple guards failing their assignment could be severely punished. The soldiers' natural fear required assurance, which the religious leaders promised.

'If this come to the governor's ears' (ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος/ean akousthē touto epi tou hēgemonos)—Pilate would certainly hear about the empty tomb and claims of resurrection. He had been involved in the crucifixion and tomb-sealing (Matthew 27:11-26, 65). Any report of missing body or failed guard duty would reach him.

'We will persuade him' (ἡμεῖς πείσομεν αὐτόν/hēmeis peisomen auton)—the chief priests promised to use their influence with Pilate. They had already manipulated him to crucify Jesus against his better judgment (Matthew 27:24). Now they would leverage their power again to protect the guards and maintain their false narrative.

'And secure you' (καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν/kai hymas amerim nous poiēsomen)—literally 'make you free from care/worry.' They promised complete protection, removing all risk from accepting the bribe and spreading the lie. This package of money plus protection from consequences made the offer compelling despite its requiring the guards to confess to a capital military offense.

This verse exposes the corruption's depth: religious leaders using political influence to suppress truth and protect those who perpetuate lies. It demonstrates how institutional power, divorced from accountability to God, becomes an instrument of darkness rather than light.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pilate, as Roman governor (prefect) of Judea, held absolute power over legal matters in his jurisdiction. The chief priests had learned how to manipulate him—appealing to his fear of Caesar's displeasure (John 19:12) to force Jesus's crucifixion. They would use similar leverage again if needed.

Roman governors often cooperated with local religious authorities to maintain peace. Pilate, despite his cruelty in other instances (Luke 13:1), generally tried to avoid unrest. The chief priests' political influence, backed by their ability to incite riots (as they had done during Jesus's trial, Matthew 27:20-24), gave them leverage.

The phrase 'secure you' implied not just protection from Pilate but from any investigation. The Sanhedrin would use their wealth and power to ensure the guards faced no consequences. This reveals how thoroughly institutions can be corrupted when leaders prioritize self-preservation over truth.

Historically, this cover-up succeeded in Jewish circles ('commonly reported among the Jews until this day,' verse 15) but failed to stop Christianity's spread. Despite official propaganda, eyewitness testimony to resurrection—backed by the disciples' transformed lives and willingness to die—proved more persuasive than institutional lies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the religious leaders' promise to protect the guards from consequences mirror how sin often offers apparent security while enslaving us to lies and corruption?
  2. What does their willingness to use political manipulation ('we will persuade him') teach us about how institutional religion can compromise with worldly power structures?
  3. In what ways might we be tempted to 'secure ourselves' through compromise with lies or half-truths rather than trusting God while standing for truth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
καὶ1 of 14

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐὰν2 of 14

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

ἀκουσθῇ3 of 14

“come to”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

τοῦτο4 of 14

“this”

G5124

that thing

ἐπὶ5 of 14
G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ6 of 14
G3588

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

ἡγεμόνος7 of 14

“the governor's”

G2232

a leader, i.e., chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province

ἡμεῖς8 of 14

“we”

G2249

we (only used when emphatic)

πείσομεν9 of 14

“will persuade”

G3982

to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence

αὐτὸν10 of 14

“him”

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

καὶ11 of 14

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑμᾶς12 of 14

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἀμερίμνους13 of 14

“secure”

G275

not anxious

ποιήσομεν14 of 14
G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

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 28:14 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 28:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:2Acts 12:19

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