King James Version

What Does Matthew 28:15 Mean?

Matthew 28:15 in the King James Version says “So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. — study this verse from Matthew chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 28:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. The guards accepted the bribe and followed instructions: 'did as they were taught' (ἐποίησαν ὡς ἐδιδάχθησαν/epoiēsan hōs edidachthēsan). They exchanged truth for money, integrity for security. This echoes Judas's betrayal—both involved silver purchasing participation in evil. The love of money enables suppression of conscience and truth.

'This saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day' (καὶ διεφημίσθη ὁ λόγος οὗτος παρὰ Ἰουδαίοις μέχρι τῆς σήμερον/kai diephēmisthē ho logos houtos para Ioudaiois mechri tēs sēmeron)—Matthew, writing perhaps 20-40 years after these events, notes the false narrative still circulated. 'Until this day' indicates it persisted during his writing (AD 50-70) and likely beyond.

This phrase also serves apologetic purpose: Matthew confirms the empty tomb was undisputed fact even by Jesus's opponents. The debate wasn't whether the tomb was empty but why. Jews couldn't deny the empty tomb; they could only offer alternative explanations. That they chose an absurd explanation (disciples stealing the body while guards slept) underscores the absence of plausible natural alternatives to resurrection.

The contrast is stark: guards took money and spread lies; disciples took nothing material but proclaimed truth, suffering persecution and martyrdom as a result. The gospel advances not through bribery and propaganda but through faithful testimony backed by transformed lives. Truth requires no payment; lies demand it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish polemic against Christianity continued for centuries using this theft allegation. The Toledot Yeshu, a medieval Jewish anti-Christian polemic, expanded this story with various embellishments. Yet the basic claim—disciples stole the body—originates here in Matthew 28, acknowledged even in hostile sources.

Church fathers (Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Origen) all reference this Jewish counter-claim in their apologetic writings, confirming its widespread circulation. Yet the same fathers note that Jews could produce no body, no tomb with Jesus's remains, no credible alternative to resurrection—only accusations of theft.

The phrase 'among the Jews' (παρὰ Ἰουδαίοις/para Ioudaiois) distinguishes Jewish communities who rejected Jesus from Jewish believers who accepted Him as Messiah (including Matthew himself and other apostles). This isn't anti-Semitism but acknowledgment that official Judaism rejected Christian claims while many individual Jews believed.

Archaeological and historical research has never uncovered Jesus's body or tomb (despite various claimed discoveries that haven't withstood scrutiny). The absence of any ancient claim to have found the body—despite immense incentive for Jesus's opponents to produce it—powerfully supports resurrection's historicity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the persistence of false narratives 'until this day' remind us that lies often have long shelf-lives while truth requires patient, persistent, faithful witness?
  2. What does the stark contrast between guards accepting bribes and apostles accepting persecution teach us about the nature of truth versus falsehood?
  3. Why is the fact that even opponents acknowledged the empty tomb (while offering false explanations for it) actually strong evidence for resurrection's historicity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
οἱ1 of 18
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 18

So

G1161

but, and, etc

λαβόντες3 of 18

they took

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

τὰ4 of 18
G3588

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

ἀργύρια5 of 18

the money

G694

silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)

ἐποίησαν6 of 18

and did

G4160

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

ὡς7 of 18

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

ἐδιδάχθησαν.8 of 18

they were taught

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

Καὶ9 of 18

and

G2532

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

διεφημίσθη10 of 18

is commonly reported

G1310

to report thoroughly, i.e., divulgate

11 of 18
G3588

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

λόγος12 of 18

saying

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

οὗτος13 of 18

this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

παρὰ14 of 18

among

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

Ἰουδαίοις15 of 18

the Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

μέχρι16 of 18

until

G3360

as far as, i.e., up to a certain point (as a preposition, of extent (denoting the terminus, whereas g0891 refers especially to the space of time or pl

τῆς17 of 18
G3588

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

σήμερον18 of 18

this day

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)


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 28:15 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 28:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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