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NASB | Matthew 27:62 ¶ Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 27:62 ¶ The next day, that is, the day after the [day of] preparation [for the Sabbath], the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled before Pilate, |
Subject: access to the tomb? |
Bible Note: Greetings Tim, This point IS important because it is ALWAYS raised by those who challenge the idea that the sealed tomb and posted guard preclude the possibility that someone, e.g. the disciples, could have stolen the body from the tomb. As I see it, our faith in the resurrection is based on the totality of the evidence, which I believe is sufficient. However, if we gloss over this detail, we appear insincere to those we witness to, especially when they discover it for themselves in scripture. In my opinion, that scripture has this "vulnerability" only reinforces my faith that it is true. That is, if you were making up a story, you would not have the risen Lord appear to women, who were considered unreliable witnesses in those days, and you would not provide a possible opportunity for the tomb to be raided. Answers that ignore this circumstance or suggest it is not relevant are not credible and do not help those who are seeking the truth of the resurrection. Regarding the idea that the guards would have opened the tomb to confirm the body was still there, this is conjecture. It can be likewise argued that they would not have opened the tomb before placing the seal on it. Parable |