Bible Strands
Matthew 28:12
And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests and elders, responding to the guards' report in Matthew 28:11, convene and distribute funds to the soldiers stationed at the tomb.
The words — συναχθέντες (sunachthentes) means "having been gathered together," and συμβούλιον (sumboulion) means "counsel" or "plan," describing the priests' coordinated decision.
The thread — This pattern of religious leaders assembling to plot appears in Matthew 26:3, Matthew 27:1, and Matthew 27:62.
Why it lands — It records the concrete act of bribery to suppress a report the authorities cannot explain, demanding the reader note that institutional power will spend resources to control a narrative rather than examine the event.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:3 At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas,
- Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
- Matthew 27:62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate.
- Acts 4:5 The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
- Acts 5:40 At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
- Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
- John 11:47 Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs.
- John 12:10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
- Acts 5:33 When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.