MATTHEW 28: 11 - 15 The Guards Bribed to tell Lies.

A piece of Skulduggery to silence the Soldiers.

Mat 28:11  While they went on this errand, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the High Priests every detail of what had happened.

Mat 28:12  So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers,

Mat 28:13  telling them to say, "His disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were asleep."

Mat 28:14  "And if this," they added, "is reported to the Governor, we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment."

Mat 28:15  So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day.

Introduction

Matthew takes up the account. He has spoken of the wonderful Joy of the Resurrection to the Followers of Jesus and the evidence that the real Jesus was ALIVE.

Now he turns to the Problem the soldiers gave the Jewish Authorities. That the Guards should say exactly what they knew to be true was unthinkable. What did the Religious authorities do to try to smother the fallout from the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Here we have them concocting a blatant Lie and paying off the Guards to keep them quiet.

Mat 28:11  While they [the women] went on this errand, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the High Priests every detail of what had happened.

Notes

The women were already on their way to tell the disciples the Wonderful News of the resurrection.

….some of the guards came into the city and reported to the High Priests every detail of what had happened.

Pilate had made this guard available to the Jewish Authorities even though they were Roman Soldiers. They sought out the Chief Priests and told them every detail of what had happened.

They may have hesitated from going to their own officers because they would have had to confess that they had not prevented the removal of the body from the tomb L.M. p.740

The body had not been stolen but how could their tell their officers the truth of what had happened.

They told the chief priests the exact details of everything that had happened. They knew that an angel of the Lord had rolled away the stone. They had acted like dead men they were so terrified. They saw the empty tomb. Whether they saw Jesus coming forth in power and great glory we do not know. They saw the women look into the empty tomb verifying that it was empty.

Mat 28:12  So the latter held a conference with the Elders, and after consultation with them they heavily bribed the soldiers,

Notes

The Chief priests decided they better call the Elders of the Nation as this was such an important matter and they did not know what to do. After having this conference together they decided to silence the Guards by giving them a hefty BRIBE. The  so-called stolen body  of the one they had put to death by crucifixion was now a living body.

ALL THEIR BRIBES AND THEIR LIES COULD NOT ALTER THE F A C T S.

Mat 28:13  telling them to say, "His disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were asleep."

Notes.

His disciples came by night - This was as absurd as it was false. On one hand, the terror of the disciples, the smallness of their number (only eleven); and their almost total want of faith; on the other, the great danger of such a bold enterprise, the number of armed men who guarded the tomb, the authority of Pilate and of the Sanhedrin, must render such an imposture as this utterly devoid of credit.

Stole him away while we slept - Here is a whole heap of absurdities.

1st. Is it likely that so many men would all fall asleep, in the open air, at once?

2dly. Is it at all probable that a Roman guard should be found off their watch, much less asleep, when it was instant death, according to the Roman military laws, to be found in this state?

3dly. Could they be so sound asleep as not to awake with all the noise which must be necessarily made by removing the great stone, and taking away the body?

4thly. Is it at all likely that these disciples could have had time sufficient to do all this, and to come and return, without being perceived by any person? And

5thly. If they were asleep, how could they possibly know that it was the disciples that stole him, or indeed that any person or persons stole him? - for, being asleep, they could see no person. From their own testimony, therefore, the resurrection may be as fully proved as the theft. A.C.

Mat 28:14  "And if this," they added, "is reported to the Governor, we will satisfy him and screen you from punishment."

Notes

The whole concocted story was so full of holes that you could let an elephant escape through it.

The Jewish authorities seemed to think that this cock and bull story would come to the ears of Pilate the Roman Governor.

They promised that they would make sure that the Guards came to no harm. The Governor’s residence was at Caesarea anyway (100kms) and it would take some time before he heard anything. He might not even care as it  saw it as the chief priests’ responsibility. The Priests promised to make the guards free from any anxiety or worry about the whole deal.

Mat 28:15  So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day.

Notes.

The soldiers were grateful for some extra cash and the fact that they were screened from any military charge of negligence.

they took the money and did as they were instructed

This must have felt like a good solution to a very awkward situation. The Jewish Authorities and the soldiers were in cohorts over the BRIBE and the LIE.

this story was noised about among the Jews, and is current to this day.

Ever since this story has been spread abroad by the Jews. It was still being broadcast by the Jews centuries latter. No body was ever produced to show that their make-believe story was indeed the fact.

Matthew 28 : 1 - 10 The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

The Wonderful Surprise for His Disciples who expected nothing.

Mat 28:1  After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre.

Mat 28:2  But to their amazement there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven, and had come and rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it.

Mat 28:3  His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Mat 28:4  For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men.

Mat 28:5  But the angel said to the women, "As for you, dismiss your fears. I know that it is Jesus that you are looking for--the crucified One.

Mat 28:6  He is not here: He has come back to life, as He foretold. Come and see the place where He lay.

Mat 28:7  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and is going before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him. Remember, I have told you."

Mat 28:8  They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples.

Mat 28:9  And then suddenly they saw Jesus coming to meet them. "Peace be to you," He said. And they came and clasped His feet, bowing to the ground before Him.

Mat 28:10  Then He said, "Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me." Weymouth New Testament

Introduction     

Golgotha, the Place of the Skull Jerusalem.Ken herschell Photo.

Despite the teaching of Jesus over and over again, the disciples did not expect Him to rise from the dead. Each of the four Evangelists tells the story independently without collaborating or trying to fit in with what the others said. Leon Morris quoting Dietrich says,  “There are three elements  common to all four Gospels - the empty tomb, the announcement of the resurrection to the women, and the meeting of the disciples with the Risen One.”

An Angel of the Lord descended from heaven with and appearance like lightning and rolled back the stone and sat upon it. The guards trembled violently and became completely immobilised. What a scene! The Angel sitting on the stone which was supposed to keep Jesus body in the Tomb. The Angel announces to the women that Jesus is Risen.

Comments

Mat 28:1 (BUT) After the Sabbath, in the early dawn of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre.

Notes

The Guards were stationed BUT………….

The Stone sealed the Tomb BUT………...

It was now the third day after Jesus’ cruel death and burial BUT……..

Mary Magdalene and the Other Mary came to the tomb BUT………….

Mat 28:2  But to their amazement there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven, and had come and rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it.

Notes

But to their amazement there had been a great earthquake….

There had been another great earthquake after the one when He was on the Cross(27:51)

for an angel of the Lord had descended from Heaven, and had come and rolled back the stone, and was sitting upon it.

“for” introduces the clear reason why this one had occurred. an Angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled the stone away. The women came to the tomb but they encountered an Angelic Visitation.

The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out but to allow the women to get into the tomb.

The Garden Tomb near the Place of the Skull

Photo Esther Herschell

Mat 28:3  His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Notes.

The Glory of God shone forth from this great Angelic Being. His Clothes were as white as snow. I have never seen an angel but many have and they are terrifying in their splendour and holiness. What will it be like when we see them in heaven? They are now sent forth as ministers to those who are the heirs of Salvation. We are protected, cared for and served by angels, now.

Mat 28:4  For fear of him the guards trembled violently, and became like dead men.

Notes.

What an impression the Angel made on the Guards.

they trembled violently G4579 σείω seiō

Thayer Definition:

1) to shake, agitate, cause to tremble 1a) of men, to be thrown into a tremor, to quake for fear

1b) metaphorically to agitate the mind

The keepers - became as dead men - God can, by one and the same means, comfort his servants, and terrify his enemies. The resurrection of Christ is a subject of terror to the servants of sin, and a subject of consolation to the sons of God; because it is a proof of the resurrection of both, the one to shame and everlasting contempt - the other to eternal glory and joy.A.C.

Mat 28:5  But the angel said to the women, "As for you, dismiss your fears. I know that it is Jesus that you are looking for--the crucified One.

Photo in the Graden Tomb by K. Herschell

Mat 28:6  He is not here: He has come back to life, as He foretold. Come and see the place where He lay. http://ubdavid.org/advanced/way-to-heaven/graphics/6_women-empty-tomb.jpg

Notes

Don’t bother looking for Jesus in the Tomb. HE IS NOT HERE. He has been RAISED. The Father Raised the Son from the dead by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

As He foretold…. Jesus made many predictions that on the Third day He would rise. This was not just fate or some accident. Jesus knew what would happen and he forewarned his disciples that this would come to pass. Note: Mat_16:21  From this time Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer much cruelty from the Elders and the High Priests and the Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised to life again.

come see the place where He lay.

Photo Ken Herschell : Inside the garden Tomb

Notes

The Angel told the women, ‘Not to concentrate on the Tomb because here is the place where He lay.’They could see for themselves that Jesus was not there, and they could believe what the Mighty Angel had told them.

Mat 28:7  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and is going before you into Galilee: there you shall see Him. Remember, I have told you."

Notes

The Angel told the Ladies,, “Go quickly!” The Good News requires haste. Don’t keep it to yourselves. “Go quickly and tell the disciples (the eleven).”

The Women who were not necessarily as significant as perhaps Peter and John were told first about His Resurrection. The Good News cut across cultural norms.

These two ladies and announce that Jesus had been raised from the dead and that He is going before them into Galilee. John and Luke mention that Jesus appeared to them in and around Jerusalem with the Upper room and the Two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

Matthew puts more emphasis on Galilee. It  would necessitate a walk

Mat 28:8  They quickly left the tomb and ran, still terrified but full of unspeakable joy, to carry the news to His disciples.

Notes

They departed quickly from the sepulchre - At the desire of the angel they went into the tomb, to have the fullest certainty of the resurrection.

Fear and great joy - Fear, produced by the appearance of this glorious messenger of God; and great joy occasioned by the glad tidings of the resurrection of their Lord and Master. At the mention of unexpected good news, fear and joy are generally intermingled. A.C.

Mat 28:9  And then suddenly they saw Jesus coming to meet them. "Peace be to you," He said. And they came and clasped His feet, bowing to the ground before Him.

Notes.

The women had seen the mighty Angelic Being and were filled with fear and great Joy

but there was more for these two unsuspecting women. As they went they suddenly saw Jesus coming to meet them. “Peace be to you,” He said.

And they came and clasped His feet, bowing to the ground before Him.

They took hold of His Feet; which was an act of homage and adoration. He was alive. He had really risen from the dead. He was more than mortal; but Jesus body was a real body. he was not some spirit being. The bowed to the ground before Him and worshipped Him.

Mat 28:10  Then He said, "Dismiss all fear! Go and take word to my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me."

Inside the garden at the Garden Tomb Jerusalem Esther Herschell Photo

Notes.

He said,”Dismiss all fear.” WNT This tyranslation seems a little stilted. “Don't be afraid!”, seems more easily understood.

It is quite natural to be afraid when you see an angel then the Risen Lord appears to you. It was overwhelming to their Human understanding. Jesus addressed this natural feeling and told them not to be afraid.

Question: "Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important?" http://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-Christ-important.html

Answer: The resurrection of Jesus is important for several reasons. First, it witnesses to the immense power of God Himself. To believe in the resurrection is to believe in God. If God exists, and if He created the universe and has power over it, He has power to raise the dead. If He does not have such power, He is not a God worthy of our faith and worship. Only He who created life can resurrect it after death, only He can reverse the hideousness that is death itself, and only He can remove the sting that is death and the victory that is the grave’s (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death.

Second, the resurrection of Jesus is a testimony to the resurrection of human beings, which is a basic tenet of the Christian faith. Unlike all other religions, Christianity alone possesses a founder who transcends death and who promises that His followers will do the same. All other religions were founded by men and prophets whose end was the grave. As Christians, we take comfort in the fact that our God became man, died for our sins, and was resurrected the third day. The grave could not hold Him. He lives, and He sits today at the right hand of God the Father in heaven.  See More http://www.gotquestions.org/resurrection-Christ-important.html

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul explains in detail the importance of the resurrection of Christ.

Matthew 27: 62 - 66 The Guards told to make the Tomb as Secure as they know how!!!

The high Priests and Pharisees worried He might rise from the dead.

Mat 27:62  Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate,

Mat 27:63  saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

Mat 27:64  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.

Mat 27:65  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.

Mat 27:66  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

Introduction.

After Jesus Cried out “IT IS FINISHED” and He had breathed His last, our Redemption (Ransom/Rescue) was complete. Joseph, the Rich man from Arimathea had buried Jesus in his own new tomb near to Golgotha, the place of the Skull.

Did you ever see men ridiculously trying to hold God down or hold Him back. Here we have these Jewish ‘Bigwigs’ and Pilate trying their best. “Go make the tomb as sure as you know how;” was their instruction to the Guard.

Weak human efforts to stop God’s Programme will always come to nothing.

Comments

Mat 27:62  Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate,

Notes

The Opposition Leaders, the Chief Priest and the Pharisees, were terrified that what He (Jesus) had promised would come to pass.

Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation…. The very next day after Jesus had died on the cross at their insistence they were still trying to make sure that the Body of Jesus remained where it was supposed to be. In the tomb. That very next day was a special sabbath of the Passover feast. Matthew calls it the day after the preparation.  Here These religious leaders were still trying to combat the Miracle Worker and His promise to rise again.

Mat 27:63  saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

Notes.

Sir, we remember, etc. - While these wicked men are fulfilling their own vicious counsels, they are subserving the great cause of Christianity. Every thing depended on the resurrection of Christ; if it did not appear that he rose from the dead, then the whole system was false, and no atonement was made. It was necessary therefore that the chief priests, etc., should make use of every precaution to prevent an imposture, that the resurrection of Christ might have the fullest evidence to support it. See on Mat_27:60 (note).

The word Κυριε (Lord, Master, Sir) is here very properly translated Sir, …..When a Roman is the speaker, or the person addressed, Κυριε should always be translated sir; when strangers address our Lord, the word is a title of civil respect, and should, in general, be translated in the same way. Supreme Authority.

After three days I will rise again - This they probably took from his saying, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will build it up. If so, they destroyed, by their own words, the false accusation they brought against him to put him to death; then they perverted the meaning, now they declare it. Thus the wise are taken in their own craftiness. Neither the devil nor his servants ever speak truth, but when they expect to accomplish some bad purpose by it.A.C.

Mat 27:64  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.

Notes

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure — by a Roman guard.

until the third day — after which, if He still lay in the grave, the imposture of His claims would be manifest to all.

and say unto the people, he is risen from the dead — Did they really fear this?

so the last error shall be worse than the first — the imposture of His pretended resurrection worse than that of His pretended Messiahship.

Mat 27:65  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard, (Take a Guard), : go, make it as sure as ye can.

Notes

Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.

The Literal “Take a Guard” should mean that Pilate would give them a guard for the Sepulchre.

They were to use all possible force at their disposal to secure the site.

Mat 27:66  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

Notes

Now the Jewish leaders would be happy everything having been done to make sure that Jesus did not escape or his disciples whisk His Body away.

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure,

sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

- Or rather, made the tomb secure by the guard, and by sealing the stone. I follow Kypke, in construing μετα της κουστωδιας, with ησφαλισαντο. The guard was to take care that the disciples should not steal him away; and the seal, which was probably the seal of the governor, was to prevent the guards from being corrupted so as to permit the theft. So everything was done which human policy and prudence could, to prevent a resurrection, which these very precautions had the most direct tendency to authenticate and establish. How wonderful are the wisdom and goodness of God! - and how true is it, that there is neither might nor counsel against him!

1. The death of Christ was ordered, so as to be witnessed by thousands; and if his resurrection take place, it must be demonstrated; and it cannot take place without being incontestable, such are the precautions used here to prevent all imposture.
2. The more the circumstances of the death of Christ are examined, the more astonishing the whole will appear. The death is uncommon - the person uncommon - and the object uncommon; and the whole is grand, majestic, and awful. Nature itself is thrown into unusual action, and by means and causes wholly supernatural. In every part, the finger of God most evidently appears.
3. How glorious does Christ appear in his death! Were it not for his thirst, his exclamation on the cross, and the piercing of his side, we should have found it difficult to believe that such a person could ever have entered the empire of death; but the divinity and the manhood equally appear, and thus the certainty of the atonement is indubitably established. A.Clark