Matthew 28:11 - Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city, and told the chief priests all the things that had happened.

Generated Verse: Matthew 28:11

What does "Matthew 28:11" mean?


Matthew 28:11 describes the guards who had been stationed at Jesus' tomb returning to the city of Jerusalem and reporting to the chief priests about what they had witnessed. This is significant because:

Confirmation of the Resurrection: The guards, likely Roman soldiers, were specifically placed at the tomb to prevent anyone from stealing Jesus' body. Their report of the empty tomb and the events that likely included an earthquake and an angel descending confirm that something extraordinary occurred. Their testimony, even if not fully understood by them, undermined the chief priests' plan to suppress the truth about Jesus.

Chief Priests' Response: The verse sets the stage for the chief priests' next actions. They were already aware of Jesus' prophecies of resurrection and actively sought to prevent it from being believed. The guards' report would have posed a major threat to their authority and credibility, prompting them to devise a counter-narrative.

Cover-Up: The immediate follow-up verses (Matthew 28:12-15) describe the chief priests bribing the guards to spread a false story: that the disciples came at night and stole Jesus' body while the guards were asleep. This reveals their determination to suppress the truth about the resurrection and maintain their power.

In summary, Matthew 28:11 highlights how the news of the empty tomb reached the religious leaders who were already opposed to Jesus. It sets the stage for their deliberate attempt to cover up the truth and propagate a false narrative to explain away the resurrection.

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