Matthew 25:1-13
The Foolish Bridesmaids
Matthew 25:14-30
The Wise And Foolish Stewards
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep And Goat Judgment
Matthew 26:1-5
Judas Plot to Betray Jesus
Matthew 26:6-16
At Simon The Leper’s House
Matthew 26:17-30
Passover With The Disciples
Matthew 26:31-35
Three Characteristics of Jesus
Matthew 26:36-46
Jesus Goes With His Disciples to Pray
Matthew 26:47-56
Judas Brings a Mob to Arrest Jesus
Matthew 26:57-68
Jesus on Trial
Matthew 27:1-14
Judas Hangs Himself
Matthew 27:11-26
Jesus is Sentenced to Die
Matthew 27:27-44
The Mockery And Crucifixion of Christ
Matthew 27:45-56
The Death of Jesus on The Cross
Matthew 27:57-66
Jesus is Buried in a Borrowed Tomb
Matthew 28:11-15
The Roman Soldiers’ Lie
The Roman Soldiers’ Lie
Matthew 28:11–15
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Lying seems to be a way of life for many people. We lie at the drop of a hat. The book The Day American Told the Truth says that 91 percent of those surveyed lie routinely about matters they consider trivial, and 36 percent lie about important matters; 86 percent lie regularly to … More
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?” That would have been suicide. But temple police could be easily bribed, even though it took a large sum of money, and could more easily be protected from Pilate’s anger. The big concern of the Jewish leaders was the people’s reaction and not the truth.
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.
Matthew 28:11-15 (English Standard Version)
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