While none of the Gospels record the actual instant when Jesus stepped out of the tomb, Matthew’s Gospel comes the closest. It describes the moment when the tomb was opened just before Jesus’ exit—an account not found among the others. It says:
And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
—Matthew 28:2-4, NASB
The other three Gospels skip immediately from the burial of Jesus to the discovery of the empty tomb, with nothing in between.1Mark 15:46–16:4; Luke 23:53–24:3; John 19:40–20:1. A skeptical reader might look with suspicion at the fact that Matthew is alone in recording this opening—particularly given the singular importance of the event. However, the distinctiveness of Matthew’s account from the others’ can be readily explained if we consider the writers’ backgrounds.
Matthew was the only Gospel writer—and, indeed, the only disciple—with documented ties to the Roman government. As a tax collector,2Matthew 9:9; 10:3; Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27. he was an overt collaborator with the Roman authorities and likely had extensive connections with other Roman officials serving in the area. While the other disciples were aware of the cover stories alleged by the authorities in public, Matthew’s connections provided him with access to the details the Romans privately admitted among themselves. In fact, Matthew’s Roman connections explain several details unique to his Gospel.
- Matthew alone records the soldiers’ experiences during this event at the tomb.3Matthew 28:2-4.
- Matthew’s account also ends before Jesus emerges from the tomb—consistent with the idea that the soldiers fainted and had no further details to offer.4Matthew 28:4.
- Matthew alone records the secret conversations regarding the official cover-up of the empty tomb.5Matthew 28:11-15.
- Matthew alone records a dream that troubled Pilate’s wife.6Matthew 27:19.
- Matthew alone records the preparations for posting a Roman guard at the tomb.7Matthew 27:62-66.
Matthew’s ties to Rome explain why he alone records details like these. In fact, the uniqueness of these details in Matthew’s Gospel does not diminish his credibility; it bolsters it. Of the four Gospels and Acts, Matthew is the most reasonable place (maybe the only reasonable place) for these details to occur. They would be out of place anywhere else and would leave us wondering if the writers resorted to recording rumors.
