Three-Part Response

Linda Rock
2 days ago
4 min read

We begin looking at how the chief priests responded to all that the guards told them. It was also stated that we will be looking at a three-part response.

When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, You are to say, His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep. If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Matthew 28: 12 – 15

How did they respond to the Resurrection News they have just received? They did so with Conspiracy, Bribery and Immunity, as the passage shows.

CONSPIRACY - When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan. The chief priests immediately flung into action, and seeking the assistance of others of similar status, mind and standing, they devised a plan. You need to understand a couple things here. Chief priests and elders are all members of the auspicious Jewish Council. They carry power and authority over the affairs of the Jewish people, spiritually, politically and socially. Another point which we must always bear in mind is that many members, no, the majority of those who comprised this governing body, called the Sanhedrin, held one common view about Jesus the Nazarene. To them, He was an imposter, a servant of the devil. From the time Jesus came on the scene, preaching, teaching and healing, they deemed Him as the enemy and spent their time trying to devise plans to trap Him, ensnare Him, and even kill Him. What we are observing of their plan of conspiracy, is nothing strange or unusual. Note how the four Gospel writers concur with this theory.

Mathew 22: 15. Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Jesus in his words.

Mark 12: 13. Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.

Luke 6: 11. But they were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

John 11: 53. So from that day on they plotted to take his life.

What we have just done is to receive proof from the Gospels that indeed, the religious Jewish Leaders of Jesus’ time, were conspirators, when it came to Jesus.

True to form, they are now conspiring with each other to see how they can stop Resurrection Truth about Jesus, from spreading.

BRIBERY – They gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, You are to say, His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.

Let’s do some interesting exploring of what the Bible says about, Bribes, Bribe takers and Bribe refusers.

Bribes

When the Israelites were given Laws of Justice and Mercy, one pertained exclusively to bribery. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. Exodus 23: 8.

Isaiah is very clear on condemning bribery and crying woe to all, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Isaiah 5: 23. Bribery is no respecter of people. Beware! Do not offer or accept any kind of bribe.

Bribe Takers

Here is the sad indictment on the sons of Samuel, who never brought his children up in this way. We are told that when Samuel, who was Israel’s judge for many years, grew old, he appointed his sons to rule. However, his sons were not as faithful and honest as he, their father was. But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. 1 Samuel 8: 3. Bribery is no respecter of people. Beware! Do not offer or accept any kind of bribe.

We look at Jesus, who was Leader, Master, Friend, Teacher and even a Father to His chosen Twelve. Who could have been a better Example to His learners, yet there was one who was engaged in bribery. Two Gospel writers share this information with us. Matthew 26: 15. KJV. And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. We now listen to what Luke says about it. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. Luke 22: 4 – 5. KJV. To cement in our minds that Judas was a bribe taker, we listen to what is spoken in the Acts of the Apostles. As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. Acts 1: 18 MSG. This is how the KJV gives us the same text. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity.