Gospel in Art: They gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers

Resurrection, Painted by Andrea Mantegna, 1497 © Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, France

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 21 April 2025
Matthew 28:8-15

At that time: The women departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell the disciples of Jesus. And behold, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.'

While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, 'Tell people, "His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep." And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.' So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Reflection on the painting

Today, we hear how the authorities attempted to conceal the truth, that the tomb was empty, and that Jesus had risen. And yet, in some ways, we can understand their reaction. The Resurrection is not just a remarkable event, it is seismic, world-shattering. Had everyone believed immediately, the world would have been transformed in an instant.

But God works quietly. He is patient. He does not rush. Faith in the Resurrection is not born in a flash... it grows slowly, steadily, over time. It is something we build throughout our entire lives. Faith is not the work of a single moment, but the work of a lifetime.

Our painted panel by Andrea Mantegna depicts Christ rising from the tomb, framed against a massive rock. He is encased within a mandorla, an almond-shaped aura surrounding the whole figure. The almond-shaped mandorla is formed by the intersection of two circles drawn behind Christ-one symbolising his divine life, the other his full humanity. The overlapping space, where divinity and humanity are perfectly united, creates the almond shape, expressing the mystery of the Incarnation. The guards surrounding the tomb each have different expressions in the face of the Resurrection: awe, belief, disbelief, indifference (one is even still half-asleep), curiosity, remorse. These are not just historical reactions; they are human reactions. We can see ourselves in those faces.

And so, if I may leave you on this Easter Monday with the shortest Easter reflection, something one of you kindly emailed to me just yesterday:

1 Cross + 3 Nails = 4-given

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-28-8-15-2025/ (with audio)