How does Matthew 27:64 demonstrate the importance of guarding against deception? The Setting at the Tomb “So give the order for the tomb to be secured until the third day. Otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and this last deception will be worse than the first.” (Matthew 27:64) What Their Request Reveals • The chief priests and Pharisees knew Jesus had foretold His resurrection (Matthew 12:40; 16:21). • They feared a staged miracle more than the possibility that He truly would rise. • They assumed the disciples were willing to fabricate evidence, projecting their own capacity for deceit (cf. John 8:44). • Pilate’s agreement to post guards (Matthew 27:65-66) shows how far civil and religious authorities will go to control a narrative. Why Guarding Matters 1. Deception corrupts truth’s witness. 2. Small falsehoods (“first deception”) prepare hearts to accept larger ones (“last deception”)—see 2 Timothy 3:13. 3. A lie unchallenged can outlive the teller; guarding is preventive, not merely reactive (Proverbs 4:23). Lessons for Believers Today • Expect false narratives about Christ to surface (Matthew 28:11-15). • Recognize that even those in authority may fear losing influence more than missing truth (John 11:48). • Understand that guarding against deception starts before the lie is spoken—by knowing and standing on Scripture (Psalm 119:11). Practical Safeguards from Scripture • Anchor every claim in the written Word (Acts 17:11). • Test the spirits—compare teaching with apostolic doctrine (1 John 4:1-2). • Put on the full armor of God, especially “the belt of truth” (Ephesians 6:14). • Walk in the light—deception loves darkness (John 3:20-21). • Stay alert; the enemy prowls, seeking someone to deceive (1 Peter 5:8-9). The Ironic Outcome • The sealed tomb and posted guard became involuntary witnesses to the resurrection’s reality (Matthew 28:2-4). • God turned an attempt to suppress truth into evidence for it—demonstrating that faithfulness to truth ultimately overcomes every scheme (2 Corinthians 13:8). |
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