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.”

Context:Let’s delve into a Bible study on Matthew 28:15 from the King James Version (KJV). This verse is found towards the end of the Gospel of Matthew and occurs in the context of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

First, let’s read the verse itself:

“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)

To better understand this verse, it’s helpful to look at the surrounding verses and the overall context. Matthew 28:11-15 provides an account of what happened after Jesus’ resurrection. It recounts that when the guards at Jesus’ tomb witnessed the angel of the Lord, who rolled away the stone and sat on it, they were terrified and became like dead men. After recovering from their shock, the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had taken place.

In verse 12, it states that the chief priests held a council with the elders and devised a plan. They gave a large sum of money to the soldiers and instructed them to spread a false report, saying that the disciples had come at night and stolen Jesus’ body while they slept. The soldiers were to claim this false narrative, and the chief priests promised to protect them from any consequences that might arise.

This brings us to verse 15: “So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” Here, the verse reveals that the soldiers complied with the chief priests’ instructions, accepting the bribe and spreading the false story among the Jewish people. Matthew emphasizes that this false report persisted and was widely believed among the Jewish population at the time when he wrote his Gospel.

The purpose of including this account in Matthew’s Gospel is to address a common objection or misconception regarding the resurrection of Jesus. The false narrative propagated by the religious leaders aimed to discredit the claim that Jesus had risen from the dead. The chief priests and elders wanted to prevent the news of Jesus’ resurrection from spreading and potentially challenging their authority and teachings.

Matthew highlights the deliberate deception of the religious leaders and their attempts to suppress the truth about Jesus’ resurrection. By including this account, Matthew affirms the reality of the resurrection and exposes the falsehood spread by those who opposed Jesus.

From a broader perspective, this verse serves as a reminder that the truth of the Gospel can face opposition and false accusations. It highlights the importance of discernment and being aware of false information or narratives that may arise. It also emphasizes the faithfulness of God’s Word, as Matthew’s Gospel assures readers that the truth of the resurrection prevailed despite attempts to suppress it.