by Doreen Kajulu | 22 October 2020 08:46 pm10
In Matthew 27:63, Jesus is referred to by the religious leaders as “that deceiver.” The Greek word used here is planos, which means a seducer, impostor, or one who misleads. This term was not a compliment it was a direct accusation, branding Jesus as someone who led people astray. Ironically, they were calling Truth Himself (John 14:6) a liar.
“…saying, ‘Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise.”’”
(Matthew 27:63, NKJV)
This event reveals the deep spiritual blindness of the religious leaders. Even though they heard Jesus’ clear prophecies about His resurrection (e.g., Matthew 16:21, 17:23), they refused to believe. Yet ironically, their concern about His resurrection led them to secure the tomb, which only further validated the resurrection when the tomb was found empty.
The accusation that Jesus was a deceiver is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:3:
“He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief… and we did not esteem Him.”
Jesus was often misunderstood, slandered, and accused yet He remained faithful to the Father’s mission. The religious leaders failed to recognize the Messiah because they expected a political liberator, not a suffering Savior (cf. John 1:11, Luke 24:25-27).
Jesus was not only called a deceiver. At different points in His ministry, people accused Him of:
Jesus warned His followers that if He was mistreated and falsely accused, they should expect the same treatment.
“Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…”
(John 15:20, NKJV)
“It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!”
(Matthew 10:25, NKJV)
This shows that rejection, slander, and persecution are not signs of failure in the Christian life they are often signs of faithful discipleship.
When Jesus was called a “deceiver,” it wasn’t a reflection of who He was—but a reflection of how blind His accusers were. Even today, followers of Christ may be misunderstood, mocked, or mischaracterized. But just as Jesus was vindicated through His resurrection, those who remain faithful to Him will also share in His victory.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…”
(Matthew 5:11-12, NKJV)
Shalom (Peace to you).
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/10/22/what-kind-of-person-is-called-deceiver-or-clever-in-the-bible-matthew-2763/
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