Bible Strands
Matthew 28:11
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — While the women are traveling after receiving Jesus’ command, some of the tomb guards enter Jerusalem and report the resurrection events to the chief priests. This occurs immediately after the women’s departure and precedes the priests’ subsequent meeting with the elders.
The words — The Greek τινες τῆς κουστωδίας (tines tēs koustōdias) literally means “some of the guard,” specifying a subset of the sentinels rather than the full detachment. The participle ἐλθόντες (elthontes) translates to “having gone,” marking their arrival in the city as a completed action preceding the report.
The thread — The guard’s deployment originates in Matthew 27:65, where Pilate authorizes them to secure the tomb. Their earlier terror and paralysis are recorded in Matthew 28:4, contrasting their initial fear with this later administrative report to the religious leadership.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to acknowledge that hostile authorities witnessed and immediately reported the empty tomb before any official narrative was constructed. It demands recognition that the event entered public record independently of the disciples’ testimony.
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The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Matthew 27:65 “You have a guard,” Pilate said. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
- Matthew 28:4 The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.