Matthew 28:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Their claims are utterly absurd, lacking any credibility whatsoever. Pray tell, how could the disciples, simple and timid men who previously wouldn’t even show themselves, have stolen Him? Was there not a seal placed at the entrance to the tomb? Was not the sepulcher monitored closely by both soldiers and Jews? Were they not apprehensive, vigilant, and concerned? And what motive did they have to steal the body? To concoct a narrative of resurrection? Yet how could they have thought to create such a story for those who preferred living in obscurity? And how did they manage to roll away the approved stone? How could they have avoided detection from such a large number? They might disdain death, yet recklessly entering into such peril would have been in vain when surrounded by guards. Their trepidation is evidenced by their previous actions; when Christ was seized in their sight, they all fled. If they dared not protest when they witnessed Him alive, how could they have acted confidently amidst the multitude of soldiers during His crucifixion? Was it not necessary to remove the door forcefully? Could that have been achieved discreetly, even alone? The stone was immense; it would take many hands to move it. Thus, they rightfully declared, ‘And the last flattery shall be prouder than the first,’ a statement revealing their own folly; rather than repenting, they only compounded their ridiculous tales. They sought profit from His blood while He was still living, and after His crucifixion and resurrection, they again attempted to undermine the truth with monetary persuasion. Observe how they are ensnared by their own actions! If they had not approached Pilate, if they had not requested guards, they might have maintained some shamelessness; however, their every effort appears aimed at silencing the truth. And if the disciples could not remain awake to pray with Jesus, despite His reproach, what gave them such newfound strength? Why did they not act before, but only when you arrived? If they had intended to act, they would have done so on the first night when no guards were present; it would have been easy and completely safe. The Jews only approached Pilate to ask for guards on the Sabbath and commenced their watch then; yet on the initial night, none were at the tomb. Furthermore, what of the mercy-seat? Peter observed it lying there. If the disciples had wished to steal, they would not have taken the body without clothing, not only to avoid dishonoring Him but also to do so without awakening those who might apprehend them. Additionally, removing the garments would have been challenging and time-consuming due to the sticky nature of the myrrh used in burial. Thus, the implausibility of the theft becomes apparent. Were they unaware of the Jewish fury, risking their ire? And what would it profit them if Christ had not risen? The Jews themselves acknowledged their own fabrication when they offered the silver, claiming, ‘If you speak this, we will appease the governor.’ In vain did they strive against the truth, seeking to disseminate falsehood; yet through their very attempts to obscure it, they inadvertently caused it to shine even more brightly. Their very assertion that ‘the disciples stole away’ actually corroborates the resurrection; they concede that the body was absent. By admitting that the body was not there, and with the guards at the tomb making theft improbable, alongside the signs and the fearful reactions of the disciples, the evidence of the resurrection is unveiled. Yet still, they act shamelessly; with all attempting to suppress the truth, they say, ‘Shout out, and we will satisfy you and relieve your sorrow.’ Behold how all conspire against them: Pilate (they sought to silence him), the soldiers, and the Jewish populace. Yet let it not astonish you that money overcame the soldiers. If it could overpower the disciples, it would certainly hold sway over them. This rumor persists even to the present day. Notice again the disciples’ fervent love for the truth! How they are unashamed to acknowledge that such a rumor has spread about them!

Observe how irrationally the Jews acted against their own interests, as previously illustrated. Had there been no guards, they might still have made claims regarding a theft, but now they are utterly speechless before the righteous judges, finding themselves constrained to silence on all fronts.

They provided the guards with enough money, instructing them to claim, "Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept; and if this report reaches the governor, we will persuade him and relieve you of your concern." Receiving the payment, they followed the instructions given to them, and this narrative has persisted among the Jews up to this day, and among Christians as well. What they concealed beneath gold in Judea has shone forth brilliantly and powerfully across the entire world. The disciples did discover Christ, but they did not take Him away. You may have bought betrayal, yet you did not capture the truth. Nevertheless, Christ has risen, and you have squandered your money.

They assured the soldiers that they would advocate on their behalf should Pilate hear about it. Once they had concluded their scheme, the chief priests provided the soldiers with money to secure their cooperation. The soldiers accepted the bribe and acted according to their instructions. Consequently, this story circulated among the Jewish people and continued to spread even at the time when the Gospel was compiled by the Apostle Matthew. For additional context, refer to Matthew 27:65.

If this reaches the governor, we will persuade him, and you won’t have to worry.’” The soldiers accepted the bribe and acted as directed; money overcame integrity. They began to propagate this false narrative, leading to the declaration that “this saying is spread among the Jews even to this day.”

It was not challenging for this falsehood to circulate. The announcement of Christ’s resurrection is extraordinarily profound, gracious, and joyful, allowing some disciples to disbelieve it with a sense of joy. However, it is impossible to refute its truth without clashing dramatically with the entire course of history, rejecting the most compelling evidence, forsaking basic human reasoning, and extinguishing the remaining sense of historical authenticity. If it is plausible to claim that the Roman emperor Tiberius never existed or that the Jewish people, who crucified Christ, dispersed like dust across the earth, or that the revered gods of Greece and Rome toppled before the preaching of fishermen, tax collectors, and carpenters; then all the more credible and indisputable is the miracle that every year and every week, the best among humanity solemnly celebrates: the resurrection of Christ.

John Chrysostom points out, 'Observe how their actions ensnare them at every turn! Had they not approached Pilate, had they not requested guards, they might have slandered without consequence; however, by doing just the opposite, they seemed to be attempting to silence themselves.' How could the disciples have dared to steal the body of Christ while it was guarded when even the voice of a servant girl intimidated the bravest of them (Matt. 26:69-72), and they all fled at the sight of the armed mob shortly before (Mark 14:50)? Is it plausible that they could have taken the body secretly at night while the guards were asleep? How could they have approached the tomb, broken the seal, rolled away the heavy stone from the entrance, entered, and taken the body without waking at least one of the guards? Even if they had achieved the extraordinary feat of entering the tomb unnoticed, would they have lingered there and, instead of hastily taking the body away, meticulously wrapped the tightly clinging burial cloths and the headscarf, placing them in an orderly fashion (John 20:6, 7)? Furthermore, if the guards were truly asleep, how could they have known and testified about events they did not witness? These inconsistencies, which are self-evident, lead to further perplexities. The guards were mandated to remain vigilant and protect the body. Having permitted the supposed theft and demonstrated gross negligence, they warrant severe penalties: why, instead of facing punishment, were they left unharmed and even rewarded? The alleged abductors should have faced even harsher consequences: why are they silent, and why were they not identified, tried, or punished? Thus, the adversaries of Christ, instead of revealing the truth through a fair examination, in their blindness and hardened disbelief, sought to shroud God's work in a crude mix of falsehood and deception.