Q2. The Theft Theory

[Don W]

The disciples would not have had any motive to steal Jesus’ body; in fact, they were frightened of the Jews and the Roman soldiers and were in hiding from them when the Lord was resurrected from His death and were not even around the empty tomb until after the resurrection happened. The Roman guard would be motivated to believe and even pay others off in bribes in order to save their own lives because if they were discovered to have fallen asleep, then they would be put to death so they and the Jews had the greatest motivation to make up and spread these lies about the disciples “stealing” Jesus’ body instead of Him being resurrected from the dead. I am not sure what Joseph of Arimathea believed because the Bible is not clear in that—depends really upon whether he was or became a Christian or not because if he did believe and found the empty tomb he gave to have Jesus buried there, then he would of disbelieved the thief theory and believed the truth of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead as a believer in the Lord. Those who believe this lie, by the way, cannot say anything about the sealed tomb or who was strong enough to roll away the large stone at the opening of the tomb. The Word of God states that angels rolled the stone away because even many men were not strong enough to do so.

[Marloes]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

The apostels had a motive to steal the body: to 'prove' Jesus has risen and they were right all along.

But they are all tortured to death for their testimony that He was risen.

The soldiers didn't have a motive because now their life was in danger.

If Romans fell asleep or let escape a prisoner or lost a guarded body, they were killed.

They are surely killed.

The Jews just wanted to prove the opposite.

Joseph already put his life on the line.

Why would he steal the body if it was in his grave anyway?

[iam4-1god]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

The disciples might have taken the body to prove that Jesus had risen

Roman soldiers who have fallen asleep on the job are subject to death-no motive there!

The Jews just wanted Jesus to go away-permanently.

Joseph of Arimathea was already in trouble because it was his tomb that Jesus was in-nothing to gain there!

[hanks]

Q2.

On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body?

What motive might the Romans have?

The Jews?

Joseph of Arimathea?

The disciples had no motive; they would not have taken the body because they were baffled and scattered, and would not have died for a false faith. We cannot imagine these disciples stealing the body while it was being guarded by highly disciplined and skilled Roman soldiers. Neither had the Romans any motive; they would not because they were there to guard it with their lives, and the tomb was sealed. The Jews also would not; they had requested a Roman guard to protect the tomb against theft. So the presence of Roman soldiers and the Roman seal made the possibility of the religious leaders

[nurselaino]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

None of these people had any motive for stealing the body. People may argue that the disciples had a motive as to prove the resurrection as being true but at this time we see them as devasted wandering lost without their leader. They did not at this point understand what Jesus had been telling them of His death and resurrection. The Romans would want the body to be just where it was as so would the Jews and Joseph would have no reason either

[Stan]

2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

I can think of no reason for the disciples to steal the body of Jesus, they feared the Romans and the Jewish leaders so getting caught would have meant certain death. The Romans had no motive they had Jesus where they thought they wanted Him behind a stone wall. The Jews had no reason either they want Jesus dead and didn't want any one to think He had risen that why they posted the guard. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus and would not have a reason since he is the one who placed Jesus in the tomb.

[quilter]

THERE WAS NO MOTIVE.THE DISCIPLES KNEW HE WAS TO DIE AND THEN ARISE. I DO NOT THINK

THEY COMPERHEND HIS DEATH UNTIL THEY SAW THE EMPTY TOMB.THE ROMANS DID NOT BELIVE JESUS WAS THE MESSIAH.THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT TO DEATH IF ANYTHING HAPPEN TO THE BODY ON THEIR WATCH. JOSEPH GAVE THE GRAVE SITE. HE HAD NO REASON TO TAKE THE BODY.

[DaveCote]

If the disciples took Jesus' body, it would have been to fool the people, but then they would have died for nothing, a false cause. If the Romans took Jesus, it would have been so no-one would have return to the tomb to pray, but this also is to late, to many people saw Jesus die, and where he was put to rest. The Jews also could not have taken him, Jesus was dead, it was pass-over and they wold not handle a dead person during this time. Why would Joesph take Juses, he gave him the tomb in which he was laid, So none of this would make sense.

[Emma2]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

The only motive the disciples might have had would be to make it look like he'd been resurrected, like he'd been prophesying. BUT.....they were hard enough to convince of the resurrection, after the fact! Aside from that, Joseph's tomb was the best place for him, in their eyes. The tomb of a wealthy and esteemed man was the most worthy place for their Lord.

The Romans could have no motive unless they were suicidal.

The Jews, maybe, if they didn't think he was worthy of Joseph's tomb. But it seems like they were just happy he was gone.

And Joseph was honored to have him in his own tomb....wonderful substitutionary symbolism.

[Jubilee]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

The disciples had no motive to steal the body of Jesus.

According to Roman law a Roman soldier who falls asleep while on duty is to killed.

The Jews wanted Jesus to die and to be buried never to be seen again.

Joseph of Arimathea is a secret disciple of Jesus and his motive would have been for Jesus to still be alive.

[karyann]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

I honestly think that nobody had any reason to take Jesus' body. Even if they did they really couldn't hide the fact that they stole it. Well they could but Jesus showed himself to 500 people so....

[johnl]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

Lets just say that Theft Theory's motive that the disciples take Jesus' body was that they think they believe that Jesus' body was missing so they think Jesus rise from the dead. The Romans', and Jews' motive could've taking the body that they did it at the same way. On the other hand, Joseph also could've descise himself as Jesus that he came to earth again.

[brandon]

On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

the disciples motive for taking Jesus' body is to say he is back. Romans motive might have been to say that he has not come back. the jews motive might have been the same as the romans. Joseph of arimathea motive may have been to reuse the tomb.

[Jubilee]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

The disciples have no motive at all. They went into hiding for fear of the religious authorities. They were afraid and disheartened.

The Romans would killed a soldier who slept on the job while on duty. So for the soldiers to report to their chain of command that Jesus' body was stolen while they were asleep while on patrol will be too serious.

The Jews wanted Jesus dead for calling himself the son of God and that is considered a blasphemous by the Jewish law.

Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of Jesus who is ready to do anything for Jesus. He prepared Jesus' body for burial in his own tomb.

[noksidam]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

The main motives of the disciples would have been:

Claim that Jesus has been resurrected and is indeed the Messiah. They may have done that to restore his (and their) honor. But how would they have found the courage to preach and die for something that they knew was wrong? Losing face was shameful in their culture but probably not enough to spend the rest of their lives on the road preaching a lie that would eventually get them killed.

Did the disciples have the "crazy" hope that the news of the Resurrection would be strong enough to unify the Jews against Rome and get rid of it? It seems impossible, especially without the Pharisees and the Priests who of course would never have followed. They would have quickly realized the uselessness of the plot and quit preaching a lie. Also an attempt to fabricate the belief in the Resurrection would probably have resulted in a more consistent story.

Fame, money and power? No way!

I do not see why the Romans would have done that? A bribe to the soldiers? The disciples were mostly poor and the risk for the guards much too great.

The Jews? The religious authorities wanted Jesus dead in the tomb.

Joseph? no idea...

[mc'el4life]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

I don't think they all have any motive to take Jesus' body away. They all wanted Him well buried, tomb sealed and well secured.

[rosegarden]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

It seems that no one had a motive to steal the Lord's body. Not the disciples. Joseph of Arimathea provided the grave for Jesus, why would he steal the body? His enemies wanted him well buried. If his enemies had stolen the body all they had to do was produce it and prove the resurrection didn't happen, but no one had the body. He was resurrected just as he said. Everything happened just as God wanted.

[etheldma]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

Each group were try to cover them self; the disciples had no reason to steal the body of Christ, the Romans soldiers did not wont it to be told that had fallen asleep, the enemies did not wont Jesus body to be stolen they did wont him to be buried.

[jonesjp]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

Ans. The disciples had no reason to take the body they did not want to be noticed by anyone as to having anything to do with Jesus. The Romans had no reason and the soldiers were so afraid that they were paid to keep them from telling the truth. Joseph of Arimathea provided a tomb for Jesus to be buried.

[haar]

The disciples, Roman soldiers and others did not have any good motive to steal the body of Christ.

The one I love is the argument presented by Dr. Pastor Ralph about Jesus's enemies who could have stolen the body. It is true if they had stolen the body, they would have simply reproduce it when the disciples started proclaiming the message of the resurrection. But they could not because they did not have it!!

[van]

On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea?

The disciples had no motive for taking Jesus body because it would prove their lack of faith in Christ being the Son of the most high God.

The Romans had no real motive for stealing the body.

[van]

Neither the Jews or Joseph of Arimathea had any reason for stealing the body. The only motive the Romans would have to steal the body is to have people believe that His body was stolen and not resurrected.

[tgandy]

If the disciples would have stolen Jesus' body why would they have gone off and preached the Gospel.  Why would they have died preaching the Good News.  The disciples would have had no reason to take the body.  The Romans definitely did not want the body to be stolen or removed.  They wanted the body there in the tomb after the 3 days to prove he had not risen from the dead.  The soldiers would have been killed for sleeping on duty had someone slipped in and taken the body.  The Jews also had no reason to take the body. They wanted Jesus dead, buried and forgotten.   Joseph of Arimathea was a secret follower of Jesus.  He also was a member of the Sanhedrin.  He spoke boldly and courageously to Pilate.  He had no reason to take the body.  He was the only one who stepped up and did what was right after Jesus died. 

[JoanG]

The reasons for the disciples to take the body:

1) to say that Jesus was the Messiah and rose from the dead as the OT fortold.

2) they might want to remove it and bury it somewhere else to make a shrine of the grave.

 

The reasons for the Romans to take it:

1) to keep the disciples and Jews rom fighting over it

2) to keep the Jews from making a public spectacle of it

 

The reasons the Jews might take it:

1) to stop the disciples from saying that He rose from the dead

2) to be able to produce the body if the disciples started to say that he was living and

 bring the other Jews into turning back to the teachings of the aPharasees.

 

The reasons Joseph of Arimathea removed the body:

1) because he personally needed the tomb.

2) because he did not want to be part of a scandel.

3) he was pressured by government officials.

[webster52]

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea? I, by far, am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I see no motivating factor for any of these groups to steal/remove the Body of Jesus. The disciples and probably Joseph of Arimathea were paralyzed with fear and grief. They feared a similar fate to that of Jesus by the Scribes and Pharisees because they were known as followers of Jesus. And they were distraught with sorrow and anguish at the heinous murder of Jesus because they did not grasp the meaning of His words and were too embarrassed to ask.

 

The Jewish leaders certainly would not have stolen the body without later unveiling it to suppress/silence Christian preaching, but no such claim was ever made.