The Disciples Lied About The Resurrection

One common skeptic argument is that the disciples stole Jesus’s body, and later fabricated that Jesus had risen from the dead; Is this true?

Here is why this couldn't be true:

P1. The Jewish authorities took many precautions to make sure the tomb was guarded and sealed, knowing the removal of the body would allow the disciples to claim Jesus had risen. (A scriptural reference is in Mathew 27:62-66)

62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take guards,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 They went and secured the tomb by setting a seal on the stone and placing the guards. -- Matthew 27:62-66 (CSB)

P2. The people local to the event would have known it was a lie, since ex Jewish extremist Paul (converted Christian) testified that there were still five hundred people who could testify on whether or not they had seen the risen Jesus. (Scriptural reference in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me. -- 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (CSB)

P3. The disciples lacked the motive to create such a lie.

P4. The disciple’s transformation and following the resurrection is inconsistent with the claim that the appearances were only a lie. Their own lies could not transform them into evangelists willing to die for their faith (and they did).

C: These evidences directly oppose the idea that the disciples stole the body and fabricated the claim that Jesus rose again. It is inconclusive to suggest that they lied about the resurrection.