And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

MATTHEW 28:12KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“counsel” Greek G4824 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
  • Matthew 27:1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
  • Mark 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

“money” Greek G694 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
  • Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
  • Luke 22:5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

“soldiers” Greek G4757 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
  • John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.
  • Acts 21:35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

“large” Greek G2425 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • Luke 23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
  • Acts 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.