The answer is: The disciples stole him

Matt 28:11-5

The tale of the soldiers at the tomb spins a vivid picture, doesn’t it? Matthew 28:11-15 recounts how the chief priests concocted a story claiming the disciples stole Jesus' body while the guards slept. This explanation serves several implied purposes. First, it illustrates the lengths to which authorities would go to suppress the truth and preserve their power. The idea of sleeping guards not witnessing the supposed theft is a somewhat flimsy excuse, inviting the audience to question its plausibility.

Fun fact: the concept of “fake news” isn't a modern phenomenon; narratives have often been crafted to challenge courage, truth, and belief! Interestingly, Catholic tradition holds that Mary Magdalene was the first to discover the empty tomb, emphasizing the role of women in the resurrection story, highlighting that they were often witnesses to key moments when many men did not step forward.

The soldiers' actions raise intriguing echoes from the past as well—think of other key figures like Peter, who would later deny knowing Jesus, and the tensions that existed between faith and fear. This provides an object lesson about the often-fallible nature of human testimony under pressure. In essence, every tale—in our modern culture, as in ancient stories—can harbor deeper truths worth exploring beyond the surface narrative. Who knows what stories unfold from the life and perspective surrounding the resurrection—carefully woven into the very fabric of hope and liberating beliefs?