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The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 8:09am On May 08, 2022 |
One of the most intriguing pieces of evidence for the resurrection that is often overlooked is the facts concerning the guards that were to watch the tomb where Jesus was buried. I want to start with a little background from professor Albert Roper in the book, “Did Jesus rise from the dead?” Here is an overview of what I had read: Led by Annas and Caiaphas, the chief priests sought out Pontius Pilate to request the tomb where Jesus was to be buried be sealed and that Roman guards would be stationed to watch it. Their fear was that the friends of Jesus would steal the body to give the appearance of a resurrection. Pilate responded to this request, ‘You shall have a guard, go your way and make it secure according to your wish”. So with that request, about 30 of the Roman Guard sealed the tomb of Jesus after His body was placed inside the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea. They rolled a stone that weighed about 2 tons (4000 pounds) and then sealed it with the Roman imperial seals of the procurator himself, which was the official Roman wax seal. Understand that defacing these seals was a very high crime. The Roman Guard would have held this in very high esteem. Their life depended on it and that is exactly why it presents compelling evidence for the resurrection. According to tradition, Pilate had placed one of his best guards to lead the pack named Petronius. Their job to watch the tomb was to be as precise and faithful as the crucifixion itself. Honestly, they had no interest in doing this at all, but their sole purpose and obligation were to rigidly perform their duty as a soldier in which they made an allegiance. The Roman seal that was put over the tomb was far more sacred to them than any philosophy or creed of Israel. These are not men who would be fooled by timid Galileans or jeopardize their necks by sleeping on post. George Currie states- “The punishment for quitting post was death, according to the laws. The most famous discourse on the strictness of camp discipline is that of Polybius which indicates that the fear of punishment produced faultless attention to duty, especially night watches”. Think about that. You not being where you were supposed to be brought upon your physical death and torment. How does this ring true for YOU? It is tough when you are out of position, or not in the right spot. The torment you bring upon yourself, the death of your destiny…ouch. Let us continue…There are 2 types of guards during this time. A Roman guard and a Temple guard. The Roman Guard According to the Greek and Roman Antiquities, one “Roman Guard” consisted of 4 men that rotated throughout the night. So two “guards” would be 8 men. One would stand watch and the others rested beside him to be easily woken. The Temple Guards Temple guards, specifically at night, were placed in 24 stations about the gates and courts. Of these, 21 were occupied by Levites alone. To put this in numbers for ya, that would be 240 Levites and 30 priests on duty every night. During the night, the captain of the Temple made his rounds. On his approach the guard had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire— a punishment, as we know, actually awarded. These men were not allowed to sit down, much less sleep. Where was the Roman Guard on the Night Jesus Was In The Tomb? If this is how tight the security measures were for both the Romans and Temple guards in general, how tight do you think the security measures were the night Jesus was put in the tomb? This alone is evidence for the resurrection. French priest and historian, E. LeCamus stated “Never had a criminal given so much worry after His execution. Above all never had a crucified man had the honor of being guarded by a squad of soldiers”. Everything was done in human policy to PREVENT a Resurrection. So just think of this. All of a sudden a great earthquake takes place. An angel descends from heaven and rolls the stone not just out of the way, but rolls it halfway up the mountainside. How would 12 men, do this type of feat, in front of all of these watchmen? Without alarming anyone? Anyways, the Roman guards saw this with their own eyes, and Matthew 28:4 states that were so scared they “became like dead men”. The question is what do the soldiers do? Do they say someone broke the seal (who, if they did and had no one to point to, the soldiers would be punished to death)? Do they say they broke the seal(a crime punishable by death). Do they lie and say they fell asleep (also punishable by death), or do they say Jesus rose from the dead and bounced (blasphemy, which we know is punishable by death). The Bible says that the Roman Guard came rushing into the city. They confronted the chief priests and told them everything that had happened. The religious leaders assembled together and gave a large sum of money to the soldiers to falsely accuse the disciples of stealing the body (false witness was also punishable by death under Roman law). They took the Money… They wanted to hide the evidence for the resurrection. Evidence for the Resurrection – The Predicament… Not only was Jesus not in the tomb, He then teaches people publicly for 30 days and there are over 500 eyewitnesses. The disciples now start preaching and teaching the evidence for the resurrection right in the region where it happened, while all of the opposers stood helplessly watching it all transpire. The enemies of Christ stood silent with no opposition to these claims…Why? Evidence for the Resurrection – Why So Silent? So let me ask this..if it were false or they were making it up…why so silent? If the Apostles were lying and made it up and started proclaiming this in the region where literally everyone knows what had happened, why not easily disprove this fictitious tale by just producing the body? If the Apostles were lying, why would they start there where they could be easily disproved? Why wouldn’t they tell their lies to people in a different region who had no clue to what happened so nobody could dispute it? I believe with this information above there is only one logical answer. That Jesus Christ…Resurrected. The Roman Guard provides just one piece of evidence for the resurrection. There are many more. Johnny Eva- 2020 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Nobody: 8:37am On May 08, 2022 |
Good |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 8:55am On May 08, 2022 |
If the death and resurrection of Jesus was true, his home country would have been more Christian than Nigeria. Despite all the miracles and preaching to thousands of people... 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 9:46am On May 08, 2022 |
AntiChristian: The Lord told Samuel, “Listen to everything the people are saying to you. They haven’t rejected you; they’ve rejected me. They’re doing just what they’ve done since I took them out of Egypt—leaving me” 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 10:25pm On May 08, 2022 |
Sweetplum: Thank you |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 12:51pm On May 09, 2022 |
Acehart: The best explanation is that we've been lied to in the death and resurrections stories! 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 2:05pm On May 09, 2022 |
AntiChristian: 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Samunique(m): 2:58pm On May 09, 2022 |
AntiChristian:Provide the evidences of the lies pls. |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by LordReed(m): 8:19pm On May 09, 2022 |
Acehart: Why would Roman guards report to the Jewish leaders they had subjugated? Why would Roman guards who witnessed such a thing never have provided some independent corroboration after the fact? Like after their tour of duty in the Levant they didn't tell anyone back home? Seems very far fetched and unlikely. 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by MindHacker9009(m): 8:54pm On May 09, 2022 |
FAKE RESURRECTION created by the Roman Empire to control the minds of people remotely and it's still working 2000 years later on all the gullible people today |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 5:04am On May 10, 2022 |
Samunique: The onus is on you to prove that it was true! |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 5:07am On May 10, 2022 |
Acehart: Says Saul turned Paul in his letter to one church in Corinth! |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Samunique(m): 7:22am On May 10, 2022 |
AntiChristian:So you just came here to disprove the evidence and reasons giving in the op without any reasons and somewhat evidence? Then you're one of many jokers and haters we have on this forum . Pls if you have nothing to prove that the resurrection of Christ was false, don't quote me again. |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Samunique(m): 7:29am On May 10, 2022 |
MindHacker9009: Show us how the fake story of His resurrection was created with some convincing proofs or shut up and allow those who believe, believe in peace !!! It's not enough for you to tell me I was wrong without reasons and proofs . |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 7:42am On May 10, 2022 |
Samunique: Okay, for the starters, what are the names of the soldiers who crucified Jesus? What are the names of the guards you talked about in the OP? Why aren't the accounts of what happened before, during and after the crucifixion and resurrection throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Steep(m): 7:46am On May 10, 2022 |
The truth will surely prevail no matter how they try to cover it, Jesus rose, and there is solid evidence. 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Samunique(m): 8:35am On May 10, 2022 |
AntiChristian:You're still asking me ? Why not answer me first ? The summary of the four gospel you asked is that, they all agreed that Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected the third day. So the message is clear ! |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 9:00am On May 10, 2022 |
Samunique: It is strange that you Christians differ concerning the form of the cross which indicates your confusion about this fabrication. There are differences between your Gospels and your historians regarding everything that has to do with the story of the crucifixion. They differ concerning the timing of the Last Supper, which according to them was one of the events in the lead-up to the crucifixion. They differ concerning the traitor who led (the Romans) to Christ – did that happen at least one day before the Last Supper, as narrated by Luke, or during it, after Christ gave him the piece of bread, as narrated by John? Was Christ the one who carried his cross, as John says, as was customary with one who was going to be crucified, according to Nottingham, or was it Simon of Cyrene, as the other three Gospels state? They say that two thieves were crucified alongside Christ, one on his right and one on his left, so what was the attitude of these two towards the Messiah who was being crucified, as they claim? Did the thieves scorn him for being crucified, and say that his Lord had abandoned him and left him to his enemies? Or did only one of them scorn him, and did the other rebuke the one who scorned him? At what hour did this crucifixion take place – was it in the third hour, as Mark says, or in the sixth as John says? What happened after the so-called crucifixion? Mark says that the veil of the Temple was torn from top to bottom. Matthew adds that the earth shook and rocks crumbled, and many of the saints rose from their graves and entered the holy city, appearing to many. Luke says that the sun turned dark, and the veil of the Temple was torn in the middle, and when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God and said, “Truly this man was righteous.” But John does not know anything about all that! These are not the only weak elements and indications of falseness in the story of the crucifixion, as narrated in the gospels. Rather the one who studies the details of the gospel narratives of this story will, with the least effort, notice the great differences in the details of this story, which are such that it is impossible to believe it all or even any part of it! Apart from the fact that the gospel accounts are not sound, and their authors themselves admit that they were not revealed to the Messiah in this form, nor were they even written during his lifetime, none of the witnesses were present at the events to which they testify, as Mark says: “Then everyone deserted him and fled.” Mark 14:50 |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by MindHacker9009(m): 9:12am On May 10, 2022 |
Samunique: 1. Number one proof to shut you up is that the Jews who are expecting their Messiah knows it's FAKE 2. Israel's population of christians today is only 2% and that was where Jesus did all His miracles and the FAKE ressurection 3. The FAKE ministry of Jesus ended in 33 AD and between 66 AD and 70 AD the Roman Empire destroyed Judea and Jerusalem, all the Jews there were sold as slaves or used as gladiators so how did the disciples escape and started preaching in Rome and no mention of this in the New Testament. 4. No single writing of Jesus or His disciples during the ministry of Jesus. 5. There were religious writings during the time of the said ministry of Jesus but the Roman Empire destroyed all of them so that the only story forced on people is the FAKE resurrection. 6. Jesus was only cursing His own fellow Jews but did not curse the Roman Empire that was occupying His home land, does this not tell you the Romans are behind this made up ressurection 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Samunique(m): 9:53am On May 10, 2022 |
AntiChristian: Thanks for the copy and paste long epistle, I knew you would come up with these. But are they enough evidences to dismiss the truth of resurrection ? Sometime ago, there was a bomb blast in Kano where many were killed by the bast in the mosque, some reports said 80 persons died, some said 120, some even reported higher numbers of casualties. Now let me ask you, can these discrepancies in figures and reportage annul the fact that bomb blast took place in Kano and people died ? I know the answer is capital NO ! Let me tell you, the new testament has a message, and the centre of the message is Christ the Son of God , the saviour of the world. He was crucified, died, buried and raised back to life. Tell me any of these four books of the gospel that denies this, or the remaining books of the new testament ? None ? So if they all agreed to the fact of this event and preach the same message, the differences in the method of narration notwithstanding, some of them even died painful and humiliating death bcs of what they claim to have seen, touched and heard. 1john 1:1, 2Pet 1:16, John 20:27, pls read ! Can you pay the ultimate price for lies and falsehood ? Furthermore, what you called discrepancies in the accounts of the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ is the fact that, the gospel wasn't any man's creation, nor it the Roman creation neither was it the creation of the church fathers. Were it to be so, they would have edited those things the critics called contradictions and make up for their story and lies . For those things to be there means, the death and resurrection of Christ actually took place, and the eyewitnesses gave their accounts, even if there are differences in the method of their narrations, they all are still saying the same thing, one theme, one message and the same summary that, Jesus is Lord and savior of the world, He died by crucifixion and was raised back to life. Remember again that, many of them were painfully murdered for what they believed and preached . Can you died for falsehood, even when you know you're lying ? 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 10:05am On May 10, 2022 |
Samunique:Note that Holy spirit was not involved in Nigerian Journalism and reportage have being sometimes found to be untrue. This is the reason Pres. Jonathan refused to believe the Chibok story at the outset! Let me tell you, the new testament has a message, and the centre of the message is Christ the Son of God , the saviour of the world.Too much words yet nothing to stand on! The story guided by a "holy spirit" should have being one and not completely different as narrated in the four gospels. Mark even said they ran away during the crucifixion. Yet everything was reported. “Then everyone deserted him and fled.” Mark 14:50 It is a lie! 2 Likes |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 10:25am On May 10, 2022 |
AntiChristian: I have read you a long time to know that these aren’t your words. You are naturally not smart, and your grammar is at best one who didn’t have a well-grounded education. Please alway use your words and your reasoning. When you do, a conversation with you will be worthwhile. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Samunique(m): 10:26am On May 10, 2022 |
I thought you were bringing some tangible evidences, still guesses and assumptions as usual. MindHacker9009:Now, that no. 6 is very childish and laughable 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Righthussle: 10:27am On May 10, 2022 |
The only person that I believe died and resurrected was Elliot, the South African man that resurrected on live tv in a church. |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 10:31am On May 10, 2022 |
LordReed: Do you believe every single records on what happened during the Crusades? Do you believe every single memoir of the Levants? |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by LordReed(m): 10:45am On May 10, 2022 |
Acehart: No, however corroborating stories allow us to get a better picture of the events of that period. Soldiers love telling tales of their time in service something as wonderful as seeing angels would have been a big story if indeed it had occurred. Besides no way Roman soldiers would report to Jewish elders, that is totally absurd. More likely they would report to their centurions or legates and those ones would keep a record even if they didn't do anything to the soliders, the Romans where very meticulous record keepers. Also the idea that Roman soldiers would be detailed to guard a tomb is another rather unlikely idea. Unless the Romans thought his death or body would be used to forment sedition and according to the tale the Romans didn't suspect Jesus of sedition nor were his followers known to be a seditious bunch. 1 Like |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Samunique(m): 10:49am On May 10, 2022 |
AntiChristian:You are not smart at all, honestly . Were there not some of them standing afar off ? Who was Jesus referring to when he said "Woman behold your Son, and Son behold your mother John 19:26-27, pls read to clear your confusion that some women and disciples were there as eyewitnesses to the whole events. |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 11:30am On May 10, 2022 |
Samunique: I am not smart? So you mean Mark lied that they fled? When exactly did they flee? And when did they return? If they were afar then how can they say Jesus was the one crucified? How did they hear what Jesus said while dying on the cross from afar? Too many falsehood in this story! It will never add up! 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 11:48am On May 10, 2022 |
Acehart: Is the Bible you are quoting your words and your reasoning or that of others? Actually i am a graduate with one of the best results in my set. You guys that profess having the Holy spirit are such failures. You can't even guess anything right despite all your Holy Spirit. When we talk about religion, we seldom use our words or thoughts/reasoning. It's the scriptures and it understandings we state.... 3 Likes |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 11:51am On May 10, 2022 |
LordReed: The bold texts tells me these: you are a soldier or you have uncles and aunts in the army and they all tell stores or you are all-knowing as you say “(all) soldiers love telling tales” or you are drenched in Hollywood war movies that you can’t separate real life from moving pictures. (Even Captain Miller in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ didn’t tell stories). Since you believe fictitious characters, why don’t you believe a fictitious Bible? Be that as it may, the precautions taken at the tomb of the risen Christ consisted of three things - the large 2000kg stone, the Roman seal, and the guard. 1. The Stone The Bible says that a large stone was rolled in front of the tomb of Jesus. On an average, it would take 100 men to lift 1000 pounds (453kg). Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away (Matthew 27:59,60). This stone, not only sealed the tomb, it also would have made it difficult for 300 men to come right in and steal the body. 2. The Roman Seal The Roman seal was also placed over the tomb. And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone (Matthew 27:66). The seal was sign of authentication that the tomb was occupied and the power and authority of Rome stood behind the seal. Anyone found breaking the Roman seal would suffer the punishment of an unpleasant death. 3. The Guard A guard watched Jesus' tomb. This was either the Roman guard or the Jewish temple police. Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how." And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone (Matthew 27:65,66). There is a question as to which one of the two groups was watching over it. The context seems to favor the Roman guard. The Roman guard was a sixteen-man unit that was governed by very strict rules. Each member was responsible for six square feet of space. The guard members could not sit down or lean against anything while they were on duty. If a guard member fell asleep, he was beaten and burned with his own clothes. But he was not the only one executed, the entire sixteen-man guard unit was executed if only one of the members fell asleep while on duty. You don’t believe the Bible but you believe Soldiers tell stories. Funny. Please, read the final work of Tacitus and give me your thoughts, omniscient one. |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by Acehart: 11:56am On May 10, 2022 |
AntiChristian: What primary school, secondary school and university did you graduate from? What was your course of study, and could you furnish us with your CGPA? |
Re: The Roman Guard | Evidence For The Resurrection by AntiChristian: 11:59am On May 10, 2022 |
Acehart: I don't need to furnish you with such details. I graduated from an Institution in South west with one of the best results as i said. You can believe it if you want or not. My Bio is not needed here. But you goofed big time guessing my bio! 1 Like |
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