Matthew 28:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:13

Say ye, etc. They put the lie into the soldiers' mouth, directing them to answer inquiries in this way. The last resource of an infatuated obstinacy! If they were asleep, how could they know that the disciples stole the body? St. Chrysostom comments well on the infamous transaction, "How did they steal him? O most foolish of all men! For because of the clearness and conspicuousness of the truth, they are not even able to make up a falsehood. For indeed, what they said was highly incredible,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 28:13

The helplessness of a foolish excuse. If ever there was a foolish excuse offered, this was it. If they were Roman soldiers who composed the watch, everybody must have known it was untrue, for sleeping on duty was punished by death. If they were part of the temple guard, everybody would know that they had been set up to tell this tale by the enemies of Jesus. If inquiry be made concerning the source of St. Matthew's information, it may suffice to remind that two at least of our Lord's... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 28:12

And when they were assembled ... - They deemed the matter of so much importance as to justify the calling together of the great council of the nation. Notwithstanding all their caution, it was plain that the body of Jesus was gone. It was further plain that the disciples would affirm that he was restored to life again. It was not improbable that Jesus would himself appear, and convince multitudes that he was the Messiah, and that the guilt of putting him to death would, after all their caution... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 28:12-14

Matthew 28:12-14. And when they were assembled, &c. The chief priests, having received this report, called the whole senate together, and they consulted among themselves what they should do in this perplexing emergency: and in particular, as may be reasonably supposed, whether they should dismiss the guards with a charge to conceal the story they had told them, or should accuse them to the governor, and attempt to get them punished for neglect of duty. But, considering the manner in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 28:1-15

RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION161. Morning of the resurrection (Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18)It is not surprising that there are differences in the accounts of what people saw on the Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead. The sight of the empty tomb and the heavenly messengers produced a mixture of reactions - excitement, joy, anxiety, fear, wonder. There was confusion as people rushed here and there to tell others. One writer records what he heard from some,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 28:12

large = sufficient: i.e. to bribe them with. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 28:13

Saying, Say ye = Telling them to say. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 28:12

And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers.Having attempted to convict Christ with suborned testimony, the same men, in perfect character with their evil nature, then made use of bribery to deny the resurrection after the event. The fact that money was paid labels their report as false; no bounty would have been required to tell the truth. One can only marvel at the callous disregard of the soldiery which, for money, agreed to... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 28:13

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.The falsehood was its own refutation. Certainly no man can be trusted when relating what took place while he was "asleep"! There is always a cleft in the foot of a falsehood; it can never walk uprightly but must limp, hobble, and drag itself, leaving the tell-tale evidence visible to all. Further consideration against the plausibility of such a lie is the fact that if any such thing had occurred, the men who went to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 28:11-15

Matthew 28:11-15. Now when they were going, &c.— The chief priests, having received the report of the guard, called the whole senate together, and consulted among themselves what they were to do. The deliberations, however, of the meeting were not kept secret. They were reported to the disciples, perhaps by Joseph and Nicodemus, two members of the council, who were our Lord's friends. The priests were reduced to a most absurd story, though certainly the best colour which they could put on... read more

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