The answer is: The disciples stole him

Matt 28:11-5

In the Gospel of Matthew, after the resurrection of Jesus, we encounter an intriguing moment where the guards at the tomb are spun a tale directed by the chief priests to explain his bodily absence. They were instructed to say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept” (Matt 28:13).

How interesting to pause and think about this! Deception was rampant not only among the religious leaders but also within society as they grappled with the reality of Jesus' resurrection. Historically, many have posited that the resurrection story presented a challenge to Jerusalem’s authorities, leading them to concoct a cover-up to maintain the status quo. It’s a prime example of the lengths people will go to preserve power—something still strikingly relevant today!

Now, let’s take a closer look at the role of these soldiers. According to some early texts, there were likely Roman soldiers guarding the tomb, who were trained to be vigilant. For them to claim they fell asleep on duty was scandalous! Sleep during a guard shift could mean serious consequences, possibly even death, yet their story reveals a desperation to explain an inconvenient truth.

This moment echoes the story of Daniel in the lion's den. Just as kings plotted to dismiss the miracle of Daniel’s survival with his loyalty to God, we see leaders here using a half-truth strategy. It poses an interesting question about our perceptions of miracles and motivations behind maintaining beliefs, don’t you think?