The Cover-up

The Cover-up

Matthew 28:11-15, NLT

As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

Setting the Scene

The women hurried to tell the disciples the amazing news about the empty tomb. At the same time, the guards were on their way to the “leading priests,” not to Pilate. If these were Roman guards, under Roman law, they would pay with their lives for falling asleep on the job. But they had been assigned to the Jewish authorities, so they went to the religious leaders badly in need of a cover-up.

The religious leaders’ worst fears had been realized (Matthew 27:63-64)—Jesus’ body had disappeared from the tomb! Instead of even considering that Jesus was the risen Messiah, they chose to “give the soldiers a large bribe” to lie.

The “stolen body” story may have seemed like a logical explanation, but they didn’t think through the details. Why would Jesus’ disciples, who had deserted him at his arrest, risk a return to a guarded and sealed tomb to remove a body—an offense that could incur the death penalty? And even if they had done so, would they have taken the time to unwrap the body and leave the graveclothes? Also, if this had occurred while the guards were asleep, how could the guards possibly have known the disciples were the thieves? The story was full of holes, and the guards would have to admit to negligence. So getting them to spread this rumor required the large bribe.

Apparently the plan worked, because the soldiers took the bribe. The story circulated, and many people believed the lie, apparently not thinking through the information carefully. The story was still being circulated when Matthew wrote his Gospel.

Getting Personal

What theories or arguments have you heard that try to undermine or refute the Resurrection?

How might you lovingly point to the truth—that Jesus did rise from the dead, that he lives, and that he has changed your life?

Because the Resurrection is difficult to believe, people still try to explain the empty tomb. No twisting of facts or rationalizing can cover up the truth: Jesus was dead but is alive! Hallelujah!

Talking to God

Approach the living Savior and ask him to give you insight and wisdom for interacting with those who deny the Resurrection. Praise him for being the source of all that is true.