The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie

11 As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests[a] had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears,[b] we will deal with[c] him and keep you out of trouble.”(A) 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 28:12 Lit After they
  2. Matthew 28:14 Lit this is heard by the governor
  3. Matthew 28:14 Lit will persuade

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards(A) 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(B) while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor,(C) we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

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