Matthew 28:15

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Matthew 28:15 (KJV)

Context

This verse closes the account of the guards at Jesus’ tomb. After the angel rolled away the stone, the guards trembled and became as dead men (Matthew 28:4). When they recovered, they reported to the chief priests everything that had happened (Matthew 28:11). The religious leaders then gathered with the elders, devised a plan, and gave the soldiers a large sum of money (Matthew 28:12). They instructed the guards to say, “His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept” (Matthew 28:13), and promised to persuade the governor if the matter reached him (Matthew 28:14).

In verse 15, the soldiers took the money and did as they were taught. Matthew records that this fabricated story was spread abroad among the Jews and was still commonly reported “until this day,” that is, until the time Matthew wrote his Gospel. The Greek verb translated “commonly reported” (διεφημίσθη) means to spread abroad or publicize widely, showing how effectively the lie circulated.

Meaning

The chief priests’ lie contained a fatal flaw. If the guards were asleep, they could not know what had happened to the body. Their testimony was inherently unreliable, yet the religious leaders promoted it to discredit the resurrection. The soldiers, though terrified by the angel, were willing to accept the bribe and repeat a false report. This shows how the love of money can override conscience and lead people to compromise the truth.

Matthew includes this account to address a common objection to the resurrection in his day. The false narrative aimed to suppress the news that Jesus had risen. By recording it, Matthew exposes the deliberate deception of the religious leaders and affirms the reality of the resurrection. Their scheme could not change what had actually occurred.

Biblical connections

This passage connects directly to Matthew 27:62-66, where the chief priests and Pharisees requested a guard for the tomb, fearing the disciples would steal the body and claim Jesus had risen. Their earlier precaution shows that the resurrection was not an unexpected event they failed to anticipate; it was the very thing they tried to prevent. The persistent lie also echoes the broader biblical theme that human schemes cannot thwart God’s purposes.

Application

This verse reminds believers that the truth of the Gospel can face determined opposition. False narratives may circulate widely and gain acceptance, but they do not change the reality of what God has done. Christians are called to discernment, to recognize false information, and to stand firm in the truth of the resurrection even when it is unpopular or contested.

The account also warns against the corrupting power of money. The guards were willing to trade the truth for silver. Believers are urged to guard their hearts against greed, which can lead them to compromise their witness. The resurrection is a historical event, and attempts to explain it away are ultimately futile.

Reflection

Consider how easily a lie can spread when people are willing to accept payment to repeat it. The religious leaders had seen the empty tomb and heard the guards’ report, yet they chose to suppress the truth. Their example challenges us to examine our own willingness to stand for what is true, especially when it costs something. The resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the foundation of Christian faith, and no amount of human scheming can overturn it.