The answer is: The disciples stole him

Matt 28:11-5

In Matthew 28:11-15, the unexpected twists continue after the pivotal moment of the resurrection. The soldiers, who were tasked with guarding Jesus' tomb, faced a shocking revelation as they encountered the empty tomb. In their panic and desperation to protect their own skins, they crafted a tale center stage on the idea that the disciples stealthily nabbed Jesus' body while they slept. This concocted story doesn't just speak to the absurdity of their claim; it highlights some intriguing cultural dynamics of the time.

Take a moment to consider the implications. For one, sleep during duty was considered a serious failing for Roman soldiers. If they had genuinely been asleep, their penalty wouldn't have just been a slap on the wrist—they’d risked execution. Guess who this rumor rolled uphill to—just the most powerful religious leaders of that time! The irony drips thick: while they meant to suppress the emergence of Christianity, the whole snafu only spread the message discretion would have silenced.

Beyond mere storytelling, this is a vivid example of how truths can be distorted for self-preservation, spotlighting humanity's penchant for protecting power and position. It mirrors a continuous saga found throughout history, reminding us how narratives shift with motives. The empty tomb slowly became the first lighthouse in the dawning of a new faith—an idea that, much like what the soldiers aimed to conceal, is powerful and fiercely persistent.