Matthew 28:12 (KJV)

What does Matthew 28:12 mean?

Matthew 28:12 describes how, after Jesus’ resurrection, the chief priests and elders gathered together and decided to pay a large sum of money to the soldiers who had guarded Jesus’ tomb. This payment was part of a plan to influence what the soldiers would say about what happened at the tomb.

The verse takes place right after some of the guards reported to the religious leaders about the events at the tomb. The chief priests and elders, who were Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, met to discuss how to handle the situation. They decided to bribe the soldiers, showing their intent to control the story about Jesus’ missing body rather than investigate what truly happened.

The Greek behind Matthew 28:12

• The word for "assembled" (συνάγω, synagō, G4863) often means to gather together for a purpose, highlighting that this was a deliberate meeting of the religious leaders.
• "Taken counsel" (συμβούλιον, symboulion, G4824) refers to a formal consultation or plotting, suggesting a calculated decision rather than a casual conversation.
• "Large" (ἱκανός, hikanos, G2425) in "large money" means a considerable or sufficient amount, indicating that the bribe was significant, not a token sum.
• "Soldiers" (στρατιώτης, stratiōtēs, G4757) specifically refers to the Roman guards, emphasizing that these were official, not just any bystanders.

Why Matthew 28:12 matters

• This verse clarifies that the religious leaders took active steps to suppress the truth about Jesus’ resurrection, rather than being passive or uninformed.
• It shows a coordinated effort between the elders and the soldiers, revealing the lengths to which the leaders would go to maintain their narrative.
• The verse sets up the explanation for the rumor that Jesus’ body was stolen, a story that circulated among some groups in the years that followed.