“Sir, we remember that this deceiver said, While he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.”– Matthew 27:63 (KJV)
“They said, Sir, we remember that while he was still alive, he said, After three days I will rise again.”– Matthew 27:63 (NLT)
“They said, Sir, we remember that while he was alive, that impostor said, After three days I will rise again.”– Matthew 27:63 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 27:63 Mean?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Matthew because it reveals the fear and cunning of the religious leaders in their anticipation of Jesus’ resurrection. Here, the chief priests and Pharisees approach Pilate, expressing their concern regarding Jesus’ claim about rising from the dead after three days. They recall His teachings and recognize the potential that His followers might take advantage of this situation to claim He has risen, and thus, the deceit will continue. This interaction sets the stage for the events that lead to the guards being placed at the tomb of Jesus. It shows us that not only did Jesus have followers who believed in him, but even His opponents acknowledged His power and prophecy about rising from the dead. As believers, we find comfort in knowing that even amidst opposition, the truth of the gospel remains powerful and impactful. It illustrates how God has a plan that even the most clever schemes of mankind cannot thwart.
In the context of faith, this verse reminds us that the power of resurrection is a central theme of Christianity, indicating hope and the promise of new life in Jesus Christ. It also illustrates the human tendency to dismiss the divine plan, as religious leaders feared losing their influence rather than embracing a heavenly truth. This passage is a call for reflection on our own beliefs and how we respond when faced with what might seem impossible. We must remember and hold fast to the promise of Jesus, especially in our moments of doubt.
Matthew 27:63 Explanation and Commentary
This passage occurs after Jesus has been tried and sentenced to crucifixion. We see the chief priests and the Pharisees come to Pilate. They express their concerns about Jesus’ prophecy regarding His resurrection, indicating that even while they wished to put an end to His ministry, they were disturbed about what He predicted might occur after His death. This would have suggested that they understood the significance of His words, irrespective of their disbelief in Him being the Messiah.
The fact that they referred to Jesus as a “deceiver” shows their animosity toward Him, but it also sheds light on their awareness of His influence. Pilate, being a Roman governor, had little interest in these religious disputes but obliged their request to keep watch at the tomb. They implied a need for security, motivated by fear rather than faith.
In our own lives, we can take this moment of apprehension among the religious leaders and flip it into an assurance of faith. When we face challenges, we sometimes rely on our own understanding and efforts to guard against what we fear. We often worry that something has gone wrong when, in truth, God is working behind the scenes to fulfill His promises to us.
The awareness of Jesus’ prophesied resurrection brings hope and demonstrates that God’s plan will come to fruition despite human interference. It challenges us to step out in faith, trusting that God can work miracles, even when we do not see the outcome immediately.
Context of Matthew 27:63
Matthew 27:63 falls within the narrative of Jesus’ trial leading up to his crucifixion and subsequent events. Prior to this verse, we see Judas betraying Jesus, leading to His arrest, and the false accusations made against Him. Jesus stands trial, facing significant injustice from the very leaders who were meant to guide the people of Israel in righteousness. These same leaders who had witnessed His miracles, teachings, and divine authority turned their backs on him, ultimately shouting for His crucifixion.
Following Jesus’ death, the atmosphere is tense; the disciples are distraught and fearful for their own lives, while the priests and Pharisees work to ensure that His followers cannot claim that He has risen from the dead. Their actions demonstrate a stark contrast between their perceptions and the faith of Jesus’ followers. The religious leaders’ fear and suspicion reveal a great deal about the heart of humanity: we often resist the truth because it contradicts our preconceived notions and threatens our authority.
In broader biblical context, we can reflect on the Old Testament prophecies that foretold the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection became the fulfillment of these prophecies. This passage serves to reiterate that Jesus’ destiny was never a surprise to God. He was sent on a mission of redemption for all humanity and would soon defeat death, sealing the hope of salvation for those who would believe. As we reflect on this, it challenges us to approach our faith with anticipation of the miracles and deliverance God has in store.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 27:63
The phrase “Sir, we remember” indicates the recognition of the authority that Jesus had. The religious leaders were acknowledging something critical about His ministry. They knew of Jesus’ significance and the words He spoke during His time on earth. When they said, “this deceiver,” it shows their unwillingness to embrace the truth of who Jesus truly was; instead, they characterized Him as a threat to their established norms.
When they recall His prediction about rising again, it signifies their awareness of Jesus’ claims. It is remarkable that these leaders had intimate knowledge of Jesus’ teachings, yet they failed to believe Him. It emphasizes how knowledge alone does not lead to faith. Even our modern-day lives can reflect this idea; we may recognize truth or facts without fully allowing them to transform our hearts.
The term “this deceiver” serves to illustrate how the leaders were attempting to distance themselves from Jesus and deflect accountability for their actions. In contrast, true discipleship involves accepting Jesus’ words and allowing them to challenge our own beliefs and ways of life. When Jesus spoke of rising again on the third day, He spoke the hope of resurrection, not just for Himself but for all humanity. The call to our hearts today is to respond to that hope in faith.
The overall tone of the religious leaders is filled with fear. They were concerned that Jesus’ followers might act on His words, and they took steps to prevent that from happening. It is illuminating to recognize that even Jesus’ enemies were anticipating His resurrection, yet His closest followers struggled to maintain faith. In our faith journey, we encounter moments of doubt, but it’s vital to cling to Easter’s promise that death is not the end.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 27:63
This verse teaches us valuable lessons about faith, fear, and the nature of Jesus’ ministry. Even amid adversity, we can glean certain insights: we learn the importance of recognizing the words of Jesus. Just as the chief priests recalled His promise of resurrection, we too should remember what Jesus has promised us in our lives; His word is reliable and solid. We ought to keep these promises close to our hearts, allowing them to strength our faith during difficult times.
Another key lesson is the nature of fear. The religious leaders were motivated by fear, and this fear drove them to make decisions that went against the truth. We can reflect on our own fears and consider how they might lead us away from faith. Fear often manifests itself as control; however, when we trust in God, we can surrender our concerns to Him. It teaches us that faith is about embracing the unknown and trusting in God’s plan instead of allowing fear to lead us into spiritual darkness.
Furthermore, we can learn about human tendency toward doubt and disbelief. The Pharisees and Sadducees are evidence that knowing the scriptures does not guarantee belief. We can possess head knowledge but lack heart transformation. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and embrace Him fully in our hearts—choosing to live in a way that reflects our belief in His promises.
As we internalize these lessons from Matthew 27:63, let’s remind ourselves that Jesus came not only to die for our sins but also to conquer the death that we feared. He is our guiding light through life’s uncertainties, and as we learn to trust Him and hold onto His promises, we walk with hope and confidence. Those who called Him a deceiver ultimately became instruments in fulfilling God’s divine plan. When we understand our purpose through Christ, we can be assured that we, too, can be a part of something greater than ourselves, a part of God’s unfolding story of redemption.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 27:63 offers us a profound reflection on the accounts leading up to Jesus’ resurrection. This moment reveals the gravity of religious leaders’ fear and disbelief, while also uncovering the prophetic significance of Jesus’ message of hope. It calls us to recognize the assurance we have via His resurrection—something that transforms our lives even today. We can feel inspired knowing that God’s promises remain true, regardless of the resistance and doubt we might face.
As we dive deeper into God’s word, let us explore further topics that can enrich our faith. We invite you to read more about Matthew 11 or discover the early stories in Genesis. You can also explore the significance of other key verses such as Genesis 18 and Genesis 19. Each of these readings brings us closer to understanding the love and grace God extends to us. Let’s remember the journey of faith we are on: we are not alone.