Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.
Again, basically the same thing took place when the leaders in Christ’s day tried to cover up the truth on the resurrection. If when the soldiers had related to them the truth of what had happened, if they chose to turn to God with confession and repentance, the story could have had a happy ending. But they made the deliberate decision to hide the truth, and thus they endeavored to sweep it under the rug without coming clean to both God and man.
Like Judas, who waited until his sins were exposed, they too waited and waited until the news broke on CNN that Jesus was indeed risen from the dead and was being seen and heard by hundreds of people. The story was being run as the headlines with every news cycle, and drip by drip, the undeniable facts in the case were seeping into the public square, but still they denied and denied. That is what happens when you have something to hide.
Matthew 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
Matthew 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!