I also refute the idea that the disciples stole the body, to fake the resurrection for the following other reasons:
The difficulty of the task: the disciples would have had to devise an ingenious plot: snatching the body from a sealed tomb by outwitting numerous Roman guards who would have been executed for falling asleep on duty or allowing a grave to be robbed. Matthew describes how "And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone" (Matthew 27:66).
The threat of death: the Roman and Jewish authorities sought to put to death anyone who claimed that Jesus had indeed been resurrected. Saul, in Acts, was guilty of doing just this before his conversion. If the disciples had faked the resurrection, it is unlikely they would die for something they knew to be false.
It is unconvincing that the disciples would act so out of character: if the disciples had lied and robbed, this would run totally contrary to their ethical teaching and the quality of their lives, indeed it would not demonstrate that they were Christ's followers at all.
How do we account for the change in them if the resurrection didn't happen: If there had been a plot to deceive then how do we account for their transformation from sorry and disappointed mourners to rejoicing witnesses, determined to spread the good news.
Matthew's gospel proves its awareness of the stolen body theory: In Matthew it clearly states that the chief priests, upon hearing the testimony of the soldiers guarding the tomb, stated "...You are to say, His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep..." and "this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day." (Mt. 28) It's doubtful Matthew would include this if this was what actually happened.
Can you add any other points to these?
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