The Roman Soldiers’ Lie

Matthew 28:11–15
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While the women were running to find the disciples and tell them that Jesus had resurrected from the dead, another group was plotting to destroy the truth of the resurrection (vv. 11-12). By now the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb realized that they were in deep trouble. For a Roman soldier to fail in his duty was an offense punishable by death (Acts 12:19). Because of this they did not report the happenings to Pilate or to their superior officers but instead they reported to the Jewish Chief priests.  They knew that these men would be as anxious to cover up the miracle as the soldiers were themselves.

Between the chief priests, the elders and the soldiers, they put together a story that would explain the empty tomb. The fabricated lie was that the disciples   had come during the night and stolen away the body of Jesus while the soldiers were asleep (vv. 13-15). Of course such a story would not be well received by the Roman officials. For this reason the Sanhedrin also voted to give the soldiers a handsome bribe to spread this story.

As a part of the bargain they promised to make things right with their superiors by whatever means it took. This probably would involve the payment of another large sum of money. As a result the lie was widely circulated among the Jews. What an incredible story! How could the soldiers know what happened while they were asleep? What honorable Roman soldier would have admitted to"sleeping on the job"? Yet  some still believe it.

Application

Often it is harder for a person to believe the truth than it is for him to believe a lie. It is so easy for me to be guilty of listening to something about someone and learning later that it was not true? The Bible makes it plain that gossip is sin.

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