How does Matthew 28:12 illustrate the power of money to corrupt truth? Setting the Scene The resurrection morning is barely over when the chief priests and elders gather in emergency session. News that Jesus’ tomb is empty threatens everything they have worked to suppress. Instead of examining the evidence, they calculate a payoff. Matthew 28:12—The Price Tag of a Lie “After the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money.” How Money Corrupts Truth in This Moment • Money replaces honest inquiry. • A “large sum” signals the leaders know the facts are against them; only heavy payment can muffle the truth. • The bribe recruits the very eyewitnesses God arranged—the guards—to become false witnesses. • The transaction creates a counterfeit narrative (“His disciples came by night,” v. 13) that will circulate for years. • Once money changes hands, the soldiers’ loyalty shifts from duty to deception. • The leaders’ instructions (“Tell them…,” v. 13) show how cash can script words that would never be spoken if truth alone held sway. Echoes of Bribery in the Rest of Scripture • Exodus 23:8 – “You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and corrupts the words of the righteous.” • Proverbs 17:23 – “A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom to pervert the course of justice.” • Micah 3:11 – “Her leaders judge for a bribe; her priests teach for a price.” • Acts 8:18-20 – Simon’s offer of money for the Holy Spirit draws Peter’s stern rebuke. • 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil…” These passages underscore that what happened in Matthew 28:12 is no anomaly; wherever money is elevated above truth, corruption follows. Why This Matters for Us Today • The resurrection is the cornerstone of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:14); Satan’s strategy is to discredit it, and money remains a favored tool. • Modern culture still rewards spin over substance. If a price is high enough, facts can be bought, edited, or buried. • Personal integrity is tested not only by what we profess but by what we are willing to accept—or refuse—when financial gain is offered. Practical Steps to Resist Money’s Pull 1. Preserve a tender conscience—daily time in the Word exposes subtle compromises before they harden (Psalm 119:11). 2. Choose transparency—invite accountability with finances (2 Corinthians 8:21). 3. Value truth above profit—set pre-decided boundaries so no paycheck or promotion can purchase silence (Proverbs 23:23). 4. Give generously—open hands break money’s grip (Acts 20:35). 5. Pray for discernment—recognize when a “gift” is actually a bribe in disguise (Proverbs 15:27). Key Takeaways • Matthew 28:12 showcases money’s ability to silence witnesses and rewrite history. • Scripture repeatedly warns that bribes blind eyes and corrupt speech. • The resurrection account stands secure, yet every believer must guard against the same temptation that bought the guards’ silence. |
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