Matthew 28:11-15, The Report of the Guard

11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Comments

The guards witnessed the empty tomb and earthquake and reported it to the Jewish leadership, not Pilate. Falling asleep on duty would get them into trouble with Pilate, hence the large bribe they received to propagate a false narrative. The tables had been turned. The ones who feared the disciples would make up a story about the resurrection of Jesus were now making up their own story to refute his resurrection.

Prayer

From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth,

from the laziness that is content with half-truths,

from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,

O God of truth, deliver us.

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