CSV

Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Many religious movies and plays show that there were two Roman Soldiers that guarded the Tomb of Jesus. This is a myth.

Research shows there was a minimum of 16 Roman Soldiers, Possibly 30 to 50 Roman Soldiers, Guarding the Tomb of Jesus Christ. The English Translations of the Bible do not show this. The original New Testament Greek for Guard or Watch in Matt 27:65 is

A Roman guard was made up of four to sixteen solders or more.

Matt 27:62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,

63 saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' 64 "Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, unless 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." 65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure….

A Roman guard of strictly disciplined fighting men were stationed to guard the tomb. This guard affixed on the tomb the Roman seal, which was meant to prevent any attempt at vandalizing the sepulcher. Anyone trying to move the stone from the tomb's entrance would have broken the seal and thus incurred the wrath of Roman law. Matt 27:66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone…Matt 27:66 …and setting the guard.

Fact: Broken Roman Seal

The breaking of the seal that stood for the power and authority of the Roman Empire. The consequences of breaking the seal were extremely severe. The FBI and CIA of the Roman Empire were called into action to find the man or men who were responsible. If they were apprehended, it meant automatic execution by crucifixion upside down. People feared the breaking of the seal.

Fact: The Large Stone

Moved On that Sunday morning, the first thing that impressed the people who approached the tomb was the unusual position of the one-and-one-half to two-ton stone that had been lodged in front of the doorway. All the Gospel writers mention it. Those who observed the stone after the resurrection describe its position as having been rolled up a slope Away, not just from the entrance of the tomb, but from the entire massive sepulcher. It was in such a position that it looked as if it had been picked up and carried away. Now, I ask you, if the disciples had wanted to come in, tiptoe around the sleeping guards, and then roll the stone over and steal Jesus' body, how could they have done that without the guards‘ awareness?

Fact: Roman Guard Goes AWOL

The Roman guards fled. They left their place of responsibility. How can their attrition be explained, when Roman military discipline was so exceptional? Justin, in Digest #49, mentions all the offenses that required the death penalty. The fear of their superiors' wrath and the possibility of death meant that they paid close attention to the most minute details of their jobs. One way a guard was put to death was by being stripped of his clothes and then burned alive in a fire started with his garments. If it was not apparent which soldier had failed in his duty, then lots were drawn to see which one would be punished with death for the guard unit's failure. Certainly the entire unit would not have fallen asleep with that kind of threat over their heads.

Evidence of the Resurrection by Josh McDowell <----Click Here