Matthew 28:12

12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,

Matthew 28:12 in Other Translations

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

12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers

12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe.

12 They called a meeting of the religious leaders and came up with a plan: They took a large sum of money and gave it to the soldiers,

12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money

Matthew 28:12 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 28:12

And when they were assembled with the elders
Upon this the grand sanhedrim was convened together, which consisted of the chief priests, Scribes, and elders;

and had taken counsel
among themselves what steps to take to stifle this matter, that it might not spread and be believed by the people; they agreed upon this, as the best expedient, to bribe the soldiers to give a false account of it, as they did:

they gave large money unto the soldiers,
or "sufficient money"; they gave large sums of money, as were enough to satisfy the soldiers; they gave them whatever they would have; for though these men were very covetous, yet upon this occasion gave liberally; and that perhaps which were for the sacrifices, or for the repair of the temple, or for the supply of the poor.

Matthew 28:12 In-Context

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money,

13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’

14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”