Matthew 28:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Their statements are thoroughly unbelievable, and their deceit holds no credibility. How could these frail and unassuming men have stolen Him, especially when they trembled before the authorities? Did they not seal the tomb? Was it not heavily guarded by soldiers and religious leaders? Could they not see the danger and were they not vigilant? What reason would they have had to steal Him? To invent a tale of resurrection? What could have possessed them to fabricate such a story, particularly when they preferred anonymity? Additionally, how could they have removed the heavy stone? How could they have escaped in the face of such a guard? They may have disregarded death, but it would have been futile and reckless to risk themselves under such circumstances. Their fear is evident in their previous actions; when Christ was captured before their eyes, they all fled. If they dared not resist when they saw Him alive, how could it have been possible for them to confront a multitude of soldiers at His crucifixion? Was it not necessary to break the door open? Could such an act have been accomplished unobtrusively, even by one person? The stone was large and required many hands to move. Thus, they rightly declared, “And the last flattery shall be prouder than the first,” - a statement that ironically condemns themselves; instead of repenting, they only compounded their foolishness with even more ridiculous fictions. They sought His blood while He was alive, and after His death and resurrection, they attempted once more to undermine the truth with silver. Observe how they are ensnared by their own actions! If they had not approached Pilate and requested guards, they might have remained shameless, but instead, everything they did seemed aimed at silencing dissent. And if the disciples could not remain awake with Jesus, despite His rebuke, how did they find such strength now? Why did they not attempt to steal Him earlier, but only after your arrival? If they had truly wanted to do so, they would have acted on the first night, while the tomb was unguarded, when it would have been easy and safe. It was only on the Sabbath that the Jewish leaders approached Pilate to request guards and began their watch; initially, there were no guards at the tomb. Moreover, what significance does the mercy-seat hold? Peter found it there. If the disciples had wished to steal, they would not have left the body exposed, as doing so would not only disgrace those involved but also risk awakening anyone who might confront them. Undressing the body would have been challenging and time-consuming, for the spices would adhere to the body and garments tightly. Consequently, the implausibility of the abduction stands clear. Were they not aware of the Jewish leaders’ wrath? What would have been their gain if Christ had not risen? The Jews themselves acknowledged their deception when they paid the soldiers and said, “If you spread this, we will appease the governor.” In their futile struggle against the truth, they sought to propagate this falsehood, yet in their efforts to obscure it, they unwittingly allowed it to shine brighter. Their very claim, “The disciples stole Him away,” confirms the resurrection. They admit that the body was absent. By conceding that the body was gone and affirming the implausibility of the theft, which is evidenced by the guards' presence and the disciples’ fear, the proof of the resurrection is thus established. Yet they act shamelessly, attempting to silence the truth, saying, “Proclaim and we will satisfy you, and relieve your sorrow.” Observe how they gather support from all sides: Pilate (whom they wished to silence), the soldiers, and the Jewish people. Do not be astonished at how money influenced the soldiers as it did the disciples. This narrative has endured to this very day. Consider again the disciples’ unwavering commitment to the truth! They exhibit no shame in acknowledging that such a rumor has been propagated about them!

The one in authority understands that appearances can be misleading; he is aware of the true events surrounding the Lord's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. He perceives the tormenting thoughts sown by demons in the heart as dead; such thoughts, in moments of trial, draw away from the path of moral integrity, much like the Lord's garments were stripped from Him. This leader, in the same way, transgresses the anticipation of sins etched within the soul, akin to the seals placed on the tomb of the Lord.

The soldiers accepted the money and followed their instructions, and this account has persisted among the Jews even to this day, as well as among Christians. What they attempted to conceal under a veil of gold has instead illuminated and empowered the world. The disciples discovered Christ, but they did not steal Him; you acquired betrayal but could not acquire the truth. Yet Christ has indeed risen, and in that, you have ultimately lost your riches.

Upon concluding this plot, the chief priests provided the soldiers with money to persuade them to comply. The soldiers accepted the bribe and acted according to the instructions they received. Consequently, the story spread among the Jewish people and has persisted to this day, up to the time the Apostle Matthew composed his Gospel. For additional insights, refer to Matthew 27:65.

And if this report reaches the governor, we will persuade him, thus saving you any hassle." The soldiers accepted the bribe and acted according to their orders. Greed prevailed over integrity. The soldiers proceeded to disseminate the fabricated claim, and "this word has spread among the Jews even to this day," as recorded by the evangelist.

It was easy for this falsehood to take root. The announcement of Christ's resurrection is so monumental, so merciful, and so joyous that some could disbelieve it with a sense of delight, as was true for certain disciples. Yet, to deny its reality would require one to be in stark opposition to the entirety of history, to contest the most compelling evidence, to forsake basic human reason, and to suppress any remaining sense of historical authenticity. If one can accept the notion that Emperor Tiberius never existed or that a Jewish nation, after crucifying Christ, was scattered like dust across the globe, or that the grand deities of Greece and Rome fell from their altars before the preaching of fishermen, tax collectors, and carpenters; then even more convincingly, the miracle of Christ's resurrection, which is reverently celebrated by the finest part of humanity every year and every week, must be accepted as true and undeniable.

Had they not approached Pilate or requested guards, they could have unfoundedly accused the disciples. Instead, their very endeavors seemed aimed at silencing dissent. How could the disciples, overcome by fear, dare to steal the body of Christ when even the voice of a maid intimidated the bravest among them (Matt. 26:69-72), and they had all fled when facing an armed mob (Mark 14:50)? Is it conceivable that they could have stealthily taken Christ's body at night while the guards slept? How could they get to the tomb, break the seal, roll away a massive stone, enter, and carry away the body without waking at least one guard? Even supposing they accomplished the implausible act of entering the tomb unnoticed, would they have taken their time there, instead of hurriedly removing the body, to unwrap it and arrange the burial cloths orderly (John 20:6, 7)? Additionally, if the guards were indeed asleep, how could they have known and borne witness to events they did not witness? These glaring contradictions led to further questions. The guards were expected to remain vigilant and protect the body; allowing a theft due to gross negligence would have warranted severe punishment. Why, then, were they not punished but seemingly rewarded instead? Moreover, those who supposedly stole the body should have faced even harsher consequences: why was no action taken against them, and why were they not identified and brought to justice? Thus, the enemies of Christ, rather than revealing the truth through unbiased inquiry, sought to obscure God’s work through brazen lies and deception, motivated by malice and obstinate disbelief.