Matthew 28:12

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,

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 Jesus said, "You're holding on to me for dear life! Don't be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I'll meet them there."

11 Meanwhile, the guards had scattered, but a few of them went into the city and told the high priests everything that had happened.

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,

13 bribing them to say, "His disciples came in the night and stole the body while we were sleeping."

14 They assured them, "If the governor hears about your sleeping on duty, we will make sure you don't get blamed."