These men who claimed to see the risen Christ had been transformed from people hiding from the authorities to those who were willing to die rather than deny that testimony. Muslims might be willing to die for their belief in Allah, followers of David Koresch and Jim Jones were willing to die because of their faith in their leader . . . Muslims might be willing to die for their belief that Allah revealed himself to Muhammad. They are convinced that it is true . . The followers of these dangerous cult leaders believe their leaders to be from God . . .
Many people are zealous for false things they believe to be true.
The difference with the disciples is that they testified that they SAW Jesus alive after His death. Is they were not telling the truth . Someone might die for their convictions . . And certainly they would not endure the excrutiating torture they endured for a lie. Consider also the changes in the convictions of the early followers.