Matthew 28:15

Matthew 28:15 describes the immediate aftermath of the chief priests and elders bribing the Roman guards who had witnessed Jesus' resurrection. The verse highlights the guards' compliance with the bribe and the enduring nature of the false report they were instructed to spread.

Context

Following the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Roman guards assigned to the tomb were terrified by the angel's appearance and the earthquake (Matthew 28:4). Some of these guards went into the city and reported everything that had happened to the chief priests (Matthew 28:11). Faced with undeniable evidence of the resurrection, the Jewish leaders, rather than acknowledging the truth, convened and decided to give a large sum of money to the soldiers (Matthew 28:12). They instructed the guards to say, "His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept" (Matthew 28:13). Verse 15 confirms that the guards accepted the bribe and propagated this lie, which continued to be circulated "among the Jews until this day" when Matthew wrote his Gospel.

Key Themes

• Suppression of Truth: This verse powerfully illustrates the desperate lengths to which religious and political powers will go to suppress a truth that challenges their authority or worldview. The payment of money was a clear attempt to cover up a divine event.
• The Persistence of Falsehood: Despite the overwhelming evidence of the resurrection, the fabricated story of the stolen body became a widely accepted narrative among some. The phrase "commonly reported among the Jews until this day" underscores how rumors and deliberate misinformation can endure for a significant period.
• Evidence of the Resurrection: Paradoxically, the very existence of this elaborate lie serves as indirect evidence for the resurrection. If Jesus' body was still in the tomb, or if there was a simple explanation, there would have been no need for such a costly and deceptive cover-up. The empty tomb demanded an explanation, and the chief priests chose a dishonest one.
• Human Opposition to God's Plan: The actions of the chief priests represent a broader theme of human resistance and unbelief in the face of God's redemptive work, often driven by fear, pride, or a desire to maintain control. This echoes themes seen in John 1:11.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "commonly reported" translates the Greek verb diaphemizetai (διαφημίζεται), which means "to spread abroad," "to make known," or "to proclaim widely." This suggests an active and intentional dissemination of the false report, rather than a passive or accidental leakage of information. The phrase "until this day" (ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας) emphasizes the continuing currency of this particular fabrication at the time Matthew was writing his Gospel, highlighting its enduring impact on Jewish-Christian relations and the ongoing debate about Jesus' resurrection.

Practical Application

Matthew 28:15 reminds us that truth often faces opposition, and that false narratives can gain traction and persist. For believers, it reinforces the importance of discerning truth from falsehood, especially in an age of abundant information and misinformation. It challenges us to stand firm in the historical reality of Christ's resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith. The verse also serves as a caution against embracing convenient lies over inconvenient truths, and encourages a commitment to integrity and seeking accurate understanding, regardless of the cost.