3. READ: MATTHEW 27:57-66 AND MATTHEW 28:1-15
c. What "story" did the soldiers circulate?
Answer: The soldiers were given a large sum of money by the chief priests and elders to say "His disciples came during the night and stole Him away while we were asleep," (Matthew 28:11-15).
Matthew 27:62-64: "The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. "Sir,' they said, "we remember that while He was still alive that deceiver said, "After three days I will rise again." So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that He has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.'"
Comments from Word Pictures in the New Testament by A. T. Robertson:
These Roman soldiers had been placed at the disposal of the Sanhedrin [that's why they reported back to the chief priests everything that had happened]. They were probably afraid also to report to Pilate and tell him what had happened. They apparently told a truthful account as far as they understood it. But were the Sanhedrin convinced of the resurrection of Jesus?...The religious leaders knew full well the power of bribes. They make a contract with the Roman soldiers to tell a lie about the resurrection of Jesus [just] as they paid Judas money to betray Him...If they [the soldiers] were asleep they would not know anything about it [that His disciples came during the night and stole Him away]...They [chief priests and elders] would try money also on Pilate and assume all responsibility. The soldiers lived up to their bargain and this lie lives on through the ages.