THEY GAVE A LARGE SUM OF MONEY
At 2,14.22-32; Ps 15; Mt 28,8-15
2 APRIL
In the Gospel according to Matthew, the vision is added to the revelation of the angel that announces the resurrection to the women. Jesus shows up. The gesture made by the women towards the Risen Lord: “They embraced his feet”, indicates profound humility. It is the prostration of the servant towards his Lord, of the creature towards his Creator. “And they adored him”: it shows that Jesus is not only the Risen Master for them, he is also their God. This is their faith. Even what the Angel had said to them is confirmed. They must go and proclaim to his brothers, that is to the Apostles, to go to Galilee. There they would have seen him: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee: they will see me there». It is the true mission. They are carriers of a message.
Of this only vision of Jesus in Galilee, there is only one reference in both Matthew and Mark. No trace is in Luca and in Giovanni. In Luke everything takes place in Jerusalem. In John chapter 20 everything is lived in the Holy City. While chapter 21 is at the Sea of Galilee. So it is in Matthew and Mark:
Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’; but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee” (Mt 26,30-32). Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed.’ But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee” (Mk 14,26-28).
Then, it is right to ask oneself, why do Matthew and Mark explicitly contain this reference to Galilee? Surely because they want to apply the prophecy of Isaiah also to the Apostles of the Lord. The light came to Israel from Galilee. The light will come for the Gentiles from Galilee. In fact, from Galilee Jesus sends his apostles into the world.
When he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4,12-17).
We know how important it is for Matthew to attest to the fulfilment of every prophecy first of all concerning the Person of Jesus and then also for his disciples and the world that awaits the light of Christ to be enlightened on the mystery of their God.
Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had happened. They assembled with the elders and took counsel; then they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him while we were asleep.’ And if this gets to the ears of the governor, we will satisfy (him) and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has circulated among the Jews to the present (day).
The announcement of the resurrection does not stop at women. It also reaches the heads of the priests and through them to all the elders of the Jewish people. All of Jerusalem knows that the one who had been crucified has now risen. But neither the Apostles nor the women are the ones to refer it as the true historical news, but the soldiers of Rome, placed as watch and at custody to the grave. The soldiers are ordered to obscure the truth, turning it into a lie. A large sum of money is enough to buy their word.
Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us honest witnesses of Jesus.