Matthew 28:11–15

The Guards’ Report

28:11 While13 they were going, some14 of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 28:12 After15 they had assembled with the elders and formed a plan, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 28:13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole his body16 while we were asleep.’ 28:14 If17 this matter is heard before the governor,18 we will satisfy him19 and keep you out of trouble.”20 28:15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story is told among the Jews to this day.21

13	tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
14	tn Grk “behold, some of the guard.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
15	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
16	tn Grk “him.”
17	tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
18	tn Here ἐπί (epi) followed by the genitive = “before,” especially in the language of lawsuits (BDAG 363 s.v. 3).
19	tc ‡ αὐτόν (auton, “him”) is found after πείσομεν (peisomen, “we will satisfy”) in the majority of witnesses, though it seems to be motivated by a need for clarification and cannot therefore easily explain the rise of the shorter reading (which is found in א B Θ 33 pc). Nevertheless, English style requires the pronoun. NA 27 includes the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.
20	tn Grk “and you will not have to be worried” = “we will keep you out of trouble.”
21	tc ‡ The word ἡμέρας (hēmeras, “day”) is found after σήμερον (sēmeron, “today, this [day]”) in some early and important witnesses (B D L Θ lat), but may be a clarifying (or perhaps redundant) note. The shorter reading (found in א A W 0148vid f1, 13 33 𝔐) is thus preferred. NA 27 includes the word in brackets, indicating reservations about its authenticity.