The Enemies

 

"The Enemies (not the Disciples) Remembered the Resurrection"

Matthew 27:62-64: On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, After three days I will rise. Therefore, command that the tomb be made secure unto the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, He has risen from the dead. So the last deception will be worse than the first.

The next day was Saturday. The day of Preparation was Friday (also Passover). However, as one sadly finds out when checking into a hotel in Israel after 6 PM on Friday, the Sabbath has begun (and you sit in the lobby). So if Jesus had been taken off the Cross shortly after 3 PM, and then placed in the tomb around 4 to 5 PM, we would have the chief priests and Pharisees going about 6 PM to Pilate.

It was strange that as they approached Pilate, their stated reason for bothering him again was that Jesus had said He would rise again on the third day. It is strange because they remembered what Christ's own disciples had forgotten! Christ's prediction of resurrection was well known throughout the region.

The Pharisees were still uneasy about being rid of Jesus even though He had died cruelly on the Cross. They were taking no chances. They realized that if the least ground were given for starting a rumor that Jesus had fulfilled His promise, their efforts to destroy the effect of His teaching would be in vain. The disappearance of His body from joseph's new tomb would be, in their estimation, a tragedy, and would be accepted by many as a proof of His resurrection.

The Pharisees were afraid Christ's disciples might arrange to rob the sepulchre and hide the body away; therefore, the importance of effectualy thwarting any such attempt. Probably, they reasoned what they would do if they were on the other side. They were corrupt and would steal His body. They had nothing to fear from the disciples, who were hiding under their beds at that moment, afraid of everything. The only thing the Pharisees had to fear was, Christ Himself!