Why did the chief priests give money to the soldiers in this passage?

The chief priests gave a large amount of money to the soldiers because they wanted to hide the truth that Jesus had risen. The guards had just told them about the earthquake, the angel, the stone being rolled away, and the empty tomb. Instead of believing, the leaders chose to protect themselves and their past actions. By paying the soldiers to lie, they tried to stop people from trusting the news of the resurrection and to keep their own shame and guilt from being exposed.

What does the phrase "His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept" mean?

This is the false story the chief priests told the soldiers to spread. They wanted people to believe that Jesus’ followers secretly took his body from the tomb during the night while the guards were asleep. The passage itself shows how weak this story is. If the guards were really asleep, they could not know who took the body. Also, the disciples had been afraid and hiding, and stealing the body from armed guards would not fit with that. The story was a planned lie to cover up the resurrection.

Why did the religious leaders promise to persuade the governor and "secure" the soldiers?

Sleeping on guard duty could be punished very harshly under Roman rule. The soldiers might have feared being put to death if the governor heard they had slept and lost the body they were guarding. So the chief priests and elders promised to use their influence with the governor so the soldiers would not be punished. This shows the leaders knew the story was risky and unlikely, but they were ready to protect the soldiers from earthly trouble if they would help hide the truth about Jesus rising from the dead.

Did the soldiers really believe the story they were told to spread?

The passage shows that the soldiers had already seen what really happened at the tomb: the earthquake, the angel, the stone rolled away, and the body of Jesus gone. They knew the truth, but they took the money and “did as they were taught.” This means they chose to repeat the lie they were paid to tell rather than confess what they had seen. Their choice shows how the love of money and fear of people can lead someone to go against what they know is true and to help others stay in unbelief.

What does it mean that this saying was "commonly reported among the Jews until this day"?

This line explains that, even years later, many Jewish people were still repeating the story that the disciples stole Jesus’ body while the guards slept. The lie did not just stay in one place; it spread and became a common answer whenever the resurrection was mentioned. This shows how a false story, once started, can last a long time and shape how people think. It also shows how many people chose to believe this report instead of looking honestly at the signs that Jesus had truly risen.

What does this passage teach about human hearts and unbelief?

The passage shows that unbelief is not only about lack of evidence. The leaders heard from eye-witness guards about the angel and the empty tomb. Instead of repenting, they planned a lie and paid for it to be spread. They cared more about saving face and holding on to power than about truth. The soldiers saw strong proof as well, yet they took money to deny it. This paints a picture of hearts that would rather cover up sin and protect themselves than bow to what God has clearly done.

How does this story help us think about the resurrection of Jesus?

This story actually supports the resurrection, even though it describes an attempt to deny it. The very need to invent a story about the body being stolen admits that the tomb was empty. The made-up excuse, “while we slept,” is so weak that it almost points back to the truth. The leaders did not try to claim the body was still in the tomb; instead, they had to explain why it was gone. Their fear, the bribe, and the spreading of a lie all show how strongly they were fighting against the reality that Jesus had risen.

Why is the soldiers’ lie about the empty tomb still important to read about today?

Reading this passage helps us see that opposition to Jesus started right from the beginning and often uses lies and half-truths. It reminds us that some people may reject Jesus, not because the evidence is poor, but because they do not want the change that comes with believing. It also warns us how love of money and fear of people can twist our choices. At the same time, the story shows that even planned lies cannot stop God’s work, since the good news about Jesus’ resurrection still spread everywhere.

Matt.28.11

Matthew 28:11

KJV

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

The Report of the Guards

Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.