Topical Bible: Cowardice: Guards of the Sepulcher of Jesus

◄ Cowardice: Guards of the Sepulcher of Jesus ►

Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the guards stationed at His tomb provide a poignant example of cowardice. These guards, tasked with securing the sepulcher, were Roman soldiers under the authority of Pontius Pilate. Their role was to prevent any tampering with the body of Jesus, as the chief priests and Pharisees feared that His disciples might steal the body and claim He had risen from the dead (Matthew 27:62-66).

The account of the guards' cowardice is detailed in the Gospel of Matthew. After the resurrection, an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled back the stone from the entrance of the tomb, and sat upon it. The appearance of the angel was like lightning, and his clothing was white as snow. The guards, upon witnessing this divine intervention, were so overcome with fear that they "trembled and became like dead men" (Matthew 28:4).

Despite experiencing this miraculous event firsthand, the guards did not testify to the truth of the resurrection. Instead, they succumbed to cowardice and deceit. When they reported the events to the chief priests, they were bribed to spread a false narrative. The religious leaders gave the soldiers a large sum of money, instructing them to say, "His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep" (Matthew 28:13). The guards accepted the bribe and perpetuated this lie, prioritizing their safety and financial gain over the truth they had witnessed.

This act of cowardice highlights the guards' failure to stand for truth in the face of fear and pressure. Their decision to accept the bribe and propagate a falsehood underscores a lack of integrity and courage. The guards' actions serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to fear and the moral compromises that can arise from a desire to protect oneself at the expense of truth.

The narrative of the guards at the sepulcher is a reminder of the human tendency to choose self-preservation over righteousness. It contrasts sharply with the courage demonstrated by the early disciples, who, despite initial fear and doubt, boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Christ, even in the face of persecution and death. The guards' cowardice stands as a stark example of the moral failures that can occur when fear overrides faith and truth.