What does Matthew 28:12 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 28:12 is part of the resurrection narrative in the Gospel of Matthew.

It comes just after the description of the angel of the Lord descending from heaven to roll back the stone from Jesus' tomb and the guards' subsequent shock.

The leaders of the Jews, specifically the chief priests and elders, convene to discuss the situation after the guards report what they have witnessed.

Realizing the implications of the resurrection, they decide to bribe the soldiers to spread a false story that Jesus' disciples stole His body while the guards were sleeping.

This verse highlights the attempt to suppress the truth of the resurrection and maintain the status quo of religious power.

Historical Context

This event is situated in the context of first-century Judea under Roman occupation.

The Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, had a vested interest in suppressing Jesus' movement, which they viewed as a threat to their religious authority and potentially to the tenuous peace with their Roman overlords.

The guards mentioned would have been Roman soldiers assigned to watch the tomb to prevent tampering with Jesus' body.

The bribing of soldiers would have been a serious matter, possibly punishable by death for the soldiers if discovered by their superiors.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse demonstrates the lengths to which the religious leaders would go to deny the reality of Jesus' resurrection.

The decision to bribe the soldiers underscores the perceived threat the leaders felt to their religious authority.

While traditional Christian theology emphasizes the resurrection as a foundational truth, this verse also touches on themes of deceit, political maneuvering, and the struggle between truth and power.

Practical Applications

On a practical level, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of truth and integrity. It challenges individuals to consider how they respond to uncomfortable or challenging truths.

Christians especially might reflect on the ways they might be tempted to 'bribe the guards' in their own lives, to silence or distort truths for convenience or personal gain.

Cross-References

• Matthew 28:13-15: "Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept."
• Matthew 27:62-66: The Pharisees and chief priests secure Pilate's permission to set a guard at Jesus' tomb to prevent His body from being stolen.
• Matthew 26:14-16: Judas Iscariot takes money to betray Jesus.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

• "συμβούλιον" (symboulion) meaning "council, deliberate body."
• "ἐβουλήθησαν" (eboulethesan) meaning "they took counsel," indicating a deliberate decision-making process.
• "ἀργύρια" (argyria) meaning "silver," or in this context "money," suggesting a considerable amount paid to the soldiers.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Such attempts to suppress religious phenomena are not unique to Christianity.

Comparable stories can be found in various cultures where ruling authorities attempt to suppress emerging religious movements or miraculous events that threaten the status quo.

In many ancient myths, gods and authorities often conspire to control or alter the narrative of events for their own ends.

Scientific Perspectives

The approach to discussing the resurrection from a scientific perspective is challenging, as it deals with matters of faith and supernatural events which are outside the realm of empirical analysis.

However, discussions regarding the psychological aspects of belief and the sociopolitical implications of controlling a narrative, as depicted in this verse, can be considered through the lens of social sciences.

Commentaries

Exegetical commentary on this verse points to the dramatic irony of the situation. The very actions taken by the chief priests and elders to suppress the truth of the resurrection serve to fulfill the prophecies about it.

Commentators also reflect on the legal and moral implications of the bribing.

Some commentators observe that this scheme by the elders was ultimately futile, as Christianity eventually spread despite their efforts, which might suggest divine providence at work in ensuring the truth of the resurrection would prevail.