Devine Scripture

Matthew 28:12

What does Matthew 28:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 28:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 28:12 means

Upon hearing the guards' report, the chief priests convened with the elders, the leading Jewish authorities. Rather than considering the truth of the resurrection, they immediately conspired together, taking counsel on how to suppress the truth. Their solution was to offer a large sum of money to the soldiers as a bribe. This act reveals their hardened hearts and their desperate attempt to undermine the miraculous events, prioritizing their own power and reputation over the truth of God's power.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when they had come together with those in authority, and had made their decision, they gave much money to the watchmen, saying,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having been gathered together with the elders, counsel also having taken, they gave much money to the soldiers,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they being assembled together with the ancients, taking counsel, gave a great sum of money to the soldiers,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having assembled with the elders, and having taken counsel, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,

Context

Following the guards' detailed report to the chief priests, this verse describes the religious leaders' cynical response. This consultation and bribery plan stand in stark contrast to the divine commission given to the women. This decision immediately precedes the instruction given to the soldiers to spread a false story, illustrating the lengths to which the authorities would go to deny the resurrection.

v.11Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pass.

v.12This passage

v.13saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 12:10

    But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death;

  • Psalms 2:1

    Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?

  • Acts 5:33

    But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them.

  • Matthew 27:1

    Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

  • Matthew 26:3

    Then were gathered together the chief priests, and the elders of the people, unto the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas;

  • Acts 5:40

    And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 28

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 28.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 28:12.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary