ACC ~ Matthew 28 v11 - 15

OVERVIEW:

Truth is proclaimed even by its adversaries. For when the soldiers came forward to attest these events, the priests gave them money in order that they might pretend that a fraud had occurred. Yet they could not produce a plausible lie. Remember that a mandated seal had been placed upon the tomb. How could it be ignored that there were many watchmen and soldiers stationed around the sepulcher? And how could they have removed the huge stone that had made the burial secure? Even if they had moved it somehow, how could they have escaped the observation of so many? The entire premise is implausible (CHRYSOSTOM). Having bought out Judas, the priests tried to purchase silence and entomb faith (PETER CHRYSOLOGUS, JEROME). If the disciples had any thought of stealing his body away, they would have done it before he was buried and sealed away in the tomb. But remember on that night none of the disciples were present at the tomb. They were all hiding (CHRYSOSTOM, JEROME)!

28:11 | The Guard Told the Priests

THE REPORTS TO THE CHIEF PRIESTS

CHRYSOSTOM: The earthquake occurred for the sake of the soldiers, in order to terrify them and that they might bear testimony to “all that had taken place.” This in fact occurred. They reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. The testimony came from the guards themselves. As such it was free from suspicion. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 90.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:787; NPNF 1 10:530.

28:12-13 | Paying for a Lie

THE BRIBERY OF THE SOLDIERS

CHRYSOSTOM: Some of these signs were displayed publicly to the world, others privately to those present on the spot. Some of these events were displayed publicly for the world that was in darkness. Some were displayed privately, as the appearance of the angel. So truth shines forth, proclaimed even by its adversaries. For when the guards came forward to attest these actual events, the priests gave them money, so that they might pretend that a fraud had occurred. “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ” THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 90.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:787; NPNF 1 10:530.

THE PURCHASE OF A LIE

CHRYSOSTOM: How could they have stolen him? O most foolish of all men! They can’t even lie plausibly! The conspicuousness of the truth highlights their falsehood. For indeed what they said after the bribe was extremely farfetched. Their falsehood did not even have the ring of plausibility.

For how, I ask, could the disciples have stolen him? They were poor and unlearned. They were hiding out at this time, not even venturing to show themselves.

Remember that a mandated seal had been placed upon the tomb. How could it be ignored that there were many watchmen, soldiers and Jewish authorities stationed around the sepulcher? These very authorities were already suspicious of just such a thing happening! They themselves had sought to prevent this very contingency! They were anxious to avoid just this! THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 90.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:787; NPNF 1 10:530.

SAY, “THEY STOLE HIS BODY WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP

” CHRYSOSTOM: Further, for what motive might these poor disciples have stolen the body? That they might feign the doctrine of the resurrection? On what premise might it have entered into their minds to pretend such a thing? These were men were hiding out to simply stay alive.

And how could they have removed the huge stone that had made the burial secure? Even if they had somehow moved it, how could they have escaped the observation of so many? The premise is implausible. They would not have attempted such a desperate move. Such a venture would have proved fruitless.

In fact, the disciples were themselves quite afraid; they were far from bold. The evidence shows that they had all rushed away from Jesus the moment they saw him seized. If then at that time they did not dare so much as to stand their ground when they saw him alive, how when he was dead could they have had the courage to withstand such a number of soldiers? Do you think they might have escaped notice? How could they have burst through the circle of defenders? It would have taken many hands to remove such a great stone that had sealed the tomb. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 90.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:787-88; NPNF 1 10:530.

28:14 | Satisfying the Governor

IF THIS COMES TO THE GOVERNOR’S EARS

CHRYSOSTOM: They were correct in saying earlier that “the last fraud will be worse than the first.” [1] They were in effect making this declaration against themselves. After so much violent conduct they ought to have repented, but rather they strove to outdo their former lunacies, feigning absurd fictions. When he was alive, they purchased his blood. When he was dead and risen again, they again by money were striving to undermine the evidence of his resurrection. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 90.1. [2]

[1] Mt 27:64.

[2] PG 58:788; NPNF 1 10:530.

WE WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE

PETER CHRYSOLOGUS: Among these misdeeds, we find the priests bribing people and, what is worse, deceiving them by pointing falsely to the misdeeds of others. Meanwhile they were putting a price on sin. They paid money to cover up their manipulations. They buy out Judas who betrayed his Lord. They compensate with money the blood of the Savior of the world. They try to shut up faith in the empty tomb by purchasing silence. With petty theft they deal in the greater crime of denying the resurrection. “They gave a sum of money to the soldiers and said, ‘Tell people, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So they took the money and did as they were directed; and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.” Among the Christians too. What they covered up with gold in Judea would shine brightly and intensely over the whole world. The disciples received Christ; they did not steal him. You purchased treachery, but you did not steal the truth. Christ rose from the dead. You lost money. SERMONS 76.4. [1]

[1] CCL 24a:468.

28:15 | Spreading the Story

THEY TOOK THE MONEY

JEROME: The guards acknowledged the miracle, returned to the city quickly and described to the chief priest what they had witnessed. Those who should have turned, repented and sought out the resurrected Jesus continued instead in their wickedness. They converted the money which had been given to the temple into a bride for their falsehood, just as they had earlier given thirty pieces of silver to Judas, the betrayer. Everyone therefore who diverts the offerings given to the temple or to the church for other purposes, namely, the satisfaction of his own will, is like these scribes and chief priests who purchased a lie and bought the blood of the Savior. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 4.28.14. [1]

[1] CCL 77:281-82.

TO THIS DAY

CHRYSOSTOM: See how their own actions trap them everywhere in their own devices. For if they had not come to Pilate or asked for the guard, they would have been more able to act in this impudent fashion. But as it was, they did ask for a guard. Indeed, as though they were laboring to shut their own mouths, they took these precautions themselves. If the disciples did not even have the fortitude to watch with him for an hour while he prayed, even when he scolded them, how would they then have had the strength to venture upon such a desperate enterprise? Don’t be foolish. If the disciples had any thought of stealing his body, they would have done so before he was buried and sealed in the tomb. They would have acted before a guard was placed at the tomb on the first night, when it might have been done in greater security and with less danger. … But remember on that night none of the disciples were present at the tomb. They were scattered in hiding! THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 90.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:788; NPNF 1 10:530.