04/05/2026
THE GOOD NEWS AND THE FAKE NEWS
by Jayson Cruz
In today’s world, we often hear news that does not tell the whole truth. As a result, misinformation or fake news spreads too easily. Do you know that fake news already existed during the time of Jesus? The chief priests, who were the high-ranking Jewish priestly leaders of that time, were among the earliest spreaders of false narratives. Since they refused to accept Jesus as the Christ, the son of the living God, they bribed the roman soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus to spread a false information despite the clear evidence of the resurrection.
Jesus Christ was crucified on the Cross of Calvary on Good Friday. He was buried with the help of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. After His death, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate, accusing Jesus of deception because He had foretold His resurrection on the third day. They demanded that His tomb be secured and sealed, fearing that His disciples might steal His body during the night. Pilate then ordered Roman guards to watch over the tomb.
Matthew 28:2-4 told the events that followed:
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 from fear of him and became like dead men.
Matthew 28:11-15 also states:
Now while they were on their way, some of the men from the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and keep you out of trouble.” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews and is to this day.
They literally instructed them to spread a false story or fake news to cover-up the truth of the resurrection while they knew what really transpired. Even though they knew the truth, they chose to conceal it.
Prior to this event the religious leaders at that time, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, frequently opposed Jesus to the point of conspiring against Jesus leading to his unfair trial and death on the cross.
One instance is in Matthew 12:22
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and unable to speak was brought to Jesus, and He healed him so that the man who was unable to speak talked and could see. And all the crowds were amazed and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.
Although, the Pharisees, who were well-verse in their scriptures and the Torah, knew that the exorcism performed by Jesus was a sign pointing to Jesus as the promised messiah, the son of the living God, they willfully and knowingly refused the irrefutable evidence.
Another incident was the raising of Lazarus from the dead. Again the chief priests and the Pharisees still refused to accept that this miracle was from God and that Jesus is the messiah, the son of the living God. Instead of acknowledging the truth, they plotted to kill not only Jesus but Lazarus also.
Scripture tells us in John 12:9–11:
“Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.”
What made them to oppose Jesus and suppress the truth? Let us know the reason directly from their confession according to John 11:47-50.
Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council meeting, and they were saying, “What are we doing in regard to the fact that this Man is performing many signs? If we let Him go on like this, all the people will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take over both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor are you taking into account that it is in your best interest that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish instead.”
Now the reason becomes clearer, that as for them their position and authority were more important than the truth. Although they failed in their attempt to kill Lazarus, they succeeded in killing Christ through the betrayal of Judas Iscariot—an insider among Christ’s own disciples. But Jesus had risen from the dead and the fake news they spread would not stand if properly investigated at that time, why? The tomb of Jesus was guarded by Roman soldiers trained and skilled for battle while the disciples were just ordinary men and at the time of Jesus’ death were hiding in fear and not to mention the big stone that sealed the tomb. Who among the disciples in his right mind will have the courage to steal the body of Jesus in this condition?
Yet, no amount of anger, hatred, or deception could stop the truth. Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene, the disciples (including Thomas), two followers on the road to Emmaus, his brother James, a group of 500+ people, and later to Paul. The Disciples who were formerly hiding in fear became witnesses of the resurrection and willing to give their lives for it, which in fact they all did.
Mark 1:1 reminds us: “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” The good news about Jesus cannot be overcome by fake news. Fake news may spread for a moment, but truth always prevails. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the ultimate proof that God’s truth cannot be silenced, buried, or defeated.
Jesus Christ is our Savior, the one who gives us grace forgiveness, redemption, and salvation through the Good News of the Gospel. His true person is revealed in John 5:20.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
