New Testament
Matthew 28:13
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, the religious leaders are trying to cover up the resurrection of Jesus.
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
and instructed them, "Say that his disciples came during the night and stole him away while you were sleeping."
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the religious leaders are trying to cover up the resurrection of Jesus. They instruct the guards to spread a false story that Jesus' disciples stole his body while the guards were asleep. This reflects their fear of the implications of Jesus rising from the dead and their desire to maintain control over the narrative. The guards, who were supposed to protect the tomb, are now being used to propagate a lie. This moment highlights the lengths to which people will go to deny the truth, especially when it threatens their power or beliefs. The instruction to lie also shows the desperation of the leaders to discredit the resurrection, which was a pivotal event in Christianity. This verse serves as a reminder of the conflict between truth and deception, and the challenges faced by those who seek to uphold the truth in the face of opposition.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Matthew 28:13 to your life
This verse encourages us to be vigilant about the truth and to recognize the pressures that can lead people to distort it. In our own lives, we should strive to uphold honesty and integrity, even when faced with challenges or opposition. Being truthful is essential in maintaining our faith and witness.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 28:13 mean?
Matthew 28:13 describes how the religious leaders instructed the guards to spread a false story that Jesus' disciples stole his body while the guards were asleep. This reflects their attempt to cover up the resurrection and maintain control over the narrative surrounding Jesus' death.
What is the significance of the guards in Matthew 28:13?
The guards in Matthew 28:13 were tasked with protecting Jesus' tomb but ended up being used to promote a lie. Their failure to uphold their duty highlights the lengths to which the religious leaders would go to deny the truth of the resurrection.
What does the phrase 'while we slept' imply in Matthew 28:13?
The phrase 'while we slept' in Matthew 28:13 implies negligence on the part of the guards, suggesting that they were not vigilant in their duty. It also serves to cast doubt on the credibility of their claim, as it raises questions about how they could know what happened if they were asleep.
How does Matthew 28:13 relate to themes of deception and control?
Matthew 28:13 relates to themes of deception and control by showing how the religious leaders resorted to lying to maintain their authority and suppress the truth of the resurrection. This highlights the struggle between those in power and the truth that threatens their position.
The Book of Matthew
Matthew 1: The Generation and Birth of Jesus Christ
The book begins with the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. It records the generations from Abraham to David, from David until the carrying away into Babylon, and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ, each being fourteen generations. The genealogy concludes with Jacob begetting Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
Unlock the full Matthew summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Matthew — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 28 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Matthew summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.