Matthew 28:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Their claims are utterly implausible, lacking any credibility. Consider, how could these humble and fearful men, who hesitated to reveal themselves, manage to carry out such a theft? Was there not a seal placed upon the tomb? Was the tomb not vigilantly guarded by both soldiers and Jewish authorities? Did they not harbor the very fears they attempted to ignore, keeping watch with great care? And what motive would they have to steal? To fabricate the doctrine of the resurrection? Yet how could such concepts emerge from those who preferred anonymity? How could they move aside the sealed stone? How would they evade so many witnesses? They might disdain death, but surely they wouldn't recklessly engage in such peril amidst a multitude of guards. Their past behavior reveals their trepidation; when Christ was seized before them, they scattered in fear. But if they couldn't muster courage even upon seeing Him alive, how could they find bravery amidst a legion of soldiers at His crucifixion? Was breaking the tomb’s seal not required? Could such an act have been executed in secret, single-handedly? The stone was substantial; it necessitated many hands to shift it. They inadvertently pronounced their folly when they said, “The last deception shall be bolder than the first”—a truth they should have repented of, yet instead, they added new absurdities to their existing lies. They conspired against His blood while He lived; post-crucifixion and resurrection, they continued their deceit with financial incentives aimed at discrediting the truth of the resurrection. Observe how they entangle themselves with their own actions! Had they not approached Pilate, had they not requested a guard, they might have persisted in their deceit. However, their very actions suggested a desperate attempt to silence contenders of the truth. If the disciples struggled to remain awake with Jesus despite His rebukes, where then did they find such newfound strength? Why did they not attempt the theft previously, instead of waiting until your arrival? If they had the intent, that first night would have been their safest opportunity when the tomb was unguarded. It was only on the Sabbath that the Jews approached Pilate to secure guards, initiating their watch; initially, there were no sentries present. Moreover, what of the mercy-seat? Peter witnessed it left behind. If the disciples had intended to steal, they would hardly have done so without safeguarding the body from disgrace, and they would have taken care not to disturb any potential witnesses. The task of removing the burial garments was labor-intensive, as the myrrh adhered to both the body and the clothes much like glue. Hence, the implausibility of such an abduction becomes evident. Did they not realize the wrath of the Jews, that such an action would elicit their fury? What benefit would there have been if Christ had not risen? The Jewish leaders themselves acknowledged fabricating the entire tale when they offered the silver, declaring, “If this is divulged, we will placate the governor.” In their futile battle against the truth, they sought to propagate falsehoods, yet in their efforts to conceal the truth, they inadvertently showcased it. Their very statement, “As the disciples stole away,” corroborates the resurrection; they concede that the body was absent. If they admit that the body was indeed missing, and if the presence of the guards at the tomb alongside the fear of the disciples nullifies the likelihood of theft, then the resurrection is substantiated. Nevertheless, they shamelessly persist, attempting to silence all dissent with the ultimatum, “Speak out, and we will appease you to silence your sorrow.” Observe their conspiracy alongside Pilate, the soldiers, and the Jewish populace. Yet, do not be astonished that money swayed the soldiers. If it held such power over the disciples, how much more so over them? This narrative continues to echo to this day. Again, witness the disciples' unwavering commitment to truth! They show no shame in facing the rumors propagated about them!

It is quite possible that during this time, the Lord made an appearance to him to comfort and soothe his heart. The apostle Paul mentions that the Lord appeared to His earthly brother James (1 Cor. 15:7).

Meanwhile, as the holy women journeyed to see the apostles, turmoil erupted in Caiaphas’ palace. Some guards, likely the leaders of the assigned detail who were obliged to report all that occurred at the tomb, entered the city and informed those present of everything they had witnessed. This news hit the adversaries of Jesus like a bolt from the blue. No matter how much they wished to deny the momentous miracle of the resurrection, the testimonies were undeniable, and not from casual bystanders but from the very soldiers who had possibly mocked the condemned Jesus just two days prior—these hardened Roman soldiers relayed with dread the stories of the earthquake, the appearance of the radiant angel, and the sudden rolling away of the stone from the entrance of the tomb. What could the Lord's enemies possibly do? It is evident that they accepted the reality of Christ's Resurrection sooner than the apostles did, yet their faith resembled that of demons, who believe and tremble (James 2:19).

It remains unclear how the Sanhedrin members interpreted the reports from the guards; they could have blamed malevolent forces, echoing the Pharisees’ claim that Christ’s miracles were due to the power of Beelzebub, the ruler of demons (Matthew 12:24), or they might have suspected deception from the guards colluding with the followers of the crucified Messiah. However, they were concerned that this extraordinary event might become known amidst a city teeming with pilgrims from across the globe, just as the soldiers had described. Rather than delve into an immediate investigation that could lead to further complications and incite public speculation, the chief priests and elders opted to distort and suppress the unwelcome news through the same voices that had delivered it.