Matthew 28:11-15 11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard after entering the city told the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12And after they had assembled with the elders for a council meeting, after taking a considerable amount of money, they gave it to the soldiers 13saying, “Say, ‘His disciples coming in the night stole him away while we were sleeping.’ 14And if this is heard by the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15So after taking the money, they did as they were directed. And this word has been spread among the Jews to this day.
The scheming of the high priests and Sanhedrin continues in the next episode. This part of the story further indicates the attitude, and thus, heart condition, of the Jewish leaders. They illustrate what hard hearts look like in their refusal to believe and accept the authority of Jesus. They heard all the details from the guards who came and reported to them. It is not clear why the guards went to them and not to Pilate, but it may have been because they were chosen by the chief priests and were accountable to them.
They pleaded their case, asking the priests somehow to intervene for them because of their dereliction of duty. Their lives were on the line. For deserting their watch, they could be executed. Perhaps the priests could intervene for them somehow. The guard had experienced something unique that left them terrified. These were probably the toughest, meanest, and emotionally strongest men of that time. They were chosen for this important task because they were the best at their job. They would not be easily moved away from their duty.
But when God’s presence comes and God speaks, not even the toughest soldiers can stand. Those who went to the high priests were brave because they knew the consequence of their actions and needed help to somehow make it out alive. The others may have fled out of terror, never to be heard from again. The ones who reported received a lot of bribe money to keep quiet. No amount is given, but the implication is that it would have been enough to come up with a false story, maybe even enough to get out of town and retire.
The excuse the council gave the soldiers was weak and would only jeopardize them more. The worst thing a guard could do was fall asleep during his watch. That still left the problem of a missing body. Dead bodies do not simply disappear from a sealed tomb. The soldiers likely told of the angelic appearance, earthquake, and rolling of the stone away from the tomb. There is no indication that the council did not believe their words but rather refused to believe in the truth of Jesus. Even with reliable testimony, they would not accept him. They would even bribe Pilate to keep the situation quiet. But news of Jesus’ resurrection could not be kept quiet. Just fifty days later, his resurrection would be proclaimed in the temple courts for thousands to hear.
Matthew may have included this story as a warning to those readers who refused to believe in Jesus. Do not follow the path of doubt shown by these Jewish leaders. Accept Jesus before your heart becomes calloused like these Jews. Another purpose of this episode is that it highlights the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. By refusing to believe the story, the Jewish leaders only added confirmation to the truth of it.
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