What does Matthew 28:13 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 28:13 is part of the narrative that describes the events following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.

The verse directly quotes the words of the chief priests, giving instructions to the Roman soldiers who had been guarding Jesus’ tomb.

The Jewish leaders bribe the soldiers, instructing them to spread the false story that Jesus' disciples stole His body during the night while the guards were asleep.

This explanation is intended to undermine the truth of the resurrection and prevent the spread of belief in Jesus as the Messiah.

Historical Context

The verse is set within the context of first-century Judea under Roman occupation.

The Jewish leaders were protective of their religious authority and feared that Jesus' claims and growing following would disrupt the status quo and provoke Roman intervention.

Following the crucifixion of Jesus, the religious authorities were keen to put an end to what they considered a heretical movement.

The story of the disciples stealing the body is a part of their effort to control the narrative about Jesus' fate and discredit claims of His resurrection.

Theological Insights

This verse is significant in that it acknowledges an early source of skepticism about the resurrection: the claim that the body was stolen.

From a Christian theological perspective, it highlights the efforts employed to deny the truth of the resurrection and the lengths to which people went to suppress this event's significance.

It reflects a conflict between human attempts to control belief and the divine unfolding of the Resurrection event.

This covers a broader theme in theology about truth versus falsehood, faith versus deceit, and God's plan prevailing over human contrivance.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse may include a warning against deceitfulness and the promotion of truth.

It suggests the importance of integrity and honesty in one's actions and beliefs.

The verse may also encourage believers to be cautious about being swayed by false narratives and to seek truth in their spiritual journey. It reminds Christians to be discerning about the information they accept and to investigate the claims and intentions behind what is presented to them.

Cross-References

• Matthew 27:62-66: Where the chief priests and Pharisees request a guard for the tomb.
• Matthew 28:11-15: The full narrative of the guards' report and the bribery.
• John 20:2-8: Disciples John and Peter discover the empty tomb.

Language Study

The key phrase in the original Greek text παρελθόντες τὴν νύκτα (parelthontes tēn nykta) which translates as "came by night," emphasizes the clandestine and secretive nature implied in the accusation.

The soldiers are instructed to claim they were asleep (καθεύδοντες, katheudontes), which in itself would have been a dereliction of duty according to Roman military standards, making the story implausible and demonstrating the desperation of the chief priests to promote this narrative.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of an empty tomb and a body missing or stolen has echoes in various ancient myths and legends. For example, divine beings in some myths are whisked away or disappear to evade capture or death.

However, the account of Jesus' resurrection is distinct in its historicity and the specific theological implications it has for Christian doctrine of salvation and eternal life.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the discussion of guards asleep and a body being stolen does not enter the scientific realm per se but touches on the credibility and plausibility of testimony; the claims of the religious leaders are not verifiable.

In modern forensic contexts, such a story would be scrutinized for evidence, but in the ancient world, the spread of information relied heavily on word-of-mouth and the integrity of those involved.

commentaries

Commentaries on this verse note the irony and the impracticality of the story that the religious leaders create.

For example, if the guards were asleep, they could not have known who exactly stole the body.

Bible scholars like William Barclay highlight the absurdity of the story as evidence of the lengths the religious authorities were willing to go to suppress the truth of the resurrection.

Others, like John Calvin, comment on the audacity of the lie and how it fulfilled Christ's prophecies about the suffering His followers would endure due to dishonesty and opposition to the Gospel.