MAT 28:11-15

The Report of the Guards

11While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

12And when they had gathered with the elders and taken counsel, they gave the soldiers a substantial sum of silver pieces,

13saying, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him while we were sleeping.'

14And if this reaches the governor's ears, we will persuade him and keep you free from anxiety."

15So they took the silver pieces and did as they were instructed. And this account has been spread among the Jews to this day.

In the world it was spoken into

In Matthew 28:11-15, the Roman guard reports the events at Jesus’ tomb to the Jewish chief priests, who respond by bribing the soldiers with silver . This exchange reflects the tense relationship between Roman authorities and Jewish leaders in 1st-century Judea. The chief priests, as local elites, wielded significant influence but were dependent on Roman governance to maintain their position. The bribe, described as 'many silver pieces,' underscores the gravity of the situation: the disappearance of Jesus’ body threatened both the priests’ religious authority and their political stability. The promise to persuade the governor if the story reached him reveals the priests’ reliance on Roman patronage and their fear of losing favor. The soldiers, as Roman subordinates, were caught between their duty and the priests’ demands. The spread of this fabricated story among the Jews highlights the deep divisions and power dynamics at play in Judea, where Roman occupation and Jewish leadership intersected in complex ways.

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How other translations render this

MAT 28:11

KJV: Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
BSB: While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened.
Koinōnos: While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

MAT 28:12

KJV: And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
BSB: And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money
Koinōnos: And when they had gathered with the elders and taken counsel, they gave the soldiers a substantial sum of silver pieces,

MAT 28:13

KJV: Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
BSB: and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’
Koinōnos: saying, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him while we were sleeping.

MAT 28:14

KJV: And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
BSB: If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
Koinōnos: And if this reaches the governor's ears, we will persuade him and keep you free from anxiety.

MAT 28:15

KJV: So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
BSB: So the guards took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Koinōnos: So they took the silver pieces and did as they were instructed. And this account has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Where the historical framing draws from

Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3

›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3

“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him”

Cited to ground: The chief priests, as local elites, wielded significant influence but were dependent on Roman governance to maintain their position.

Translator's notes

MAT 28:11

guard:The word translated 'guard' here is a Latin loanword, indicating these were Roman soldiers, not Jewish temple guards. This detail highlights the official Roman involvement and oversight.

MAT 28:12

silver pieces:The term translated 'silver pieces' refers to money in general, not necessarily specific coins. It emphasizes the payment as a bribe, a sum of money given to influence their report.

MAT 28:14

will persuade:The word translated 'will persuade' carries the sense of convincing someone through argument or influence, often implying a successful outcome. It suggests the governors would be appeased by their explanation.
out of trouble:The phrase 'out of trouble' comes from a word meaning 'free from care' or 'untroubled.' It implies that the soldiers would be relieved of any anxiety or concern regarding the governor's reaction.