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Matthew 28:13

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 28:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
Matthew 28:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Then saith Jesus unto them, Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.
12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers,
13saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14And if this come to the governor`s ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.
15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, [and continueth] until this day.
16But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
← Matthew 28:12Matthew 28:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Saying, say ye his disciples came by night, etc.] They charged them to tell every one that should ask them about this affair; and even publish it every where, that the disciples of Christ came in the dead of the night, and stole him away while we slept: which was a very unlikely thing, and a foolish scheme this, for such a body of men to form. There is no show of probability in it, that the disciples, who were intimidated by the taking and putting Christ to death, and were now shut up in a house, for fear of the Jews, that these should venture out in the night, to take away the body of Christ, which was decently and honourably interred in a garden of one of his disciples: and when they knew…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept--which, as we have observed, was a capital offense for soldiers on guard.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Say, his disciples came by night, and stole him while we slept - Is it possible, that any man of sense should digest this poor, shallow inconsistency? If ye were awake, why did you let the disciples steal him? If asleep, how do you know they did? Matthew 28:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“28:13 stole his body: Tomb robbery was a common problem in the ancient world, so such an accusation would have been entirely believable.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“stole: Mat 26:64 Matthew 28:14”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification