A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 28:12

"And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money unto the soldiers," — Matthew 28:12 (ASV)

They gave large money (αργυρια ικανα εδωκαν). The use of the plural for pieces of silver (αργυρια) is common. The papyri have many instances of ικανα for considerable (from ικανω, to reach to, attain to). These pious Sanhedrists knew full well the power of bribes. They make a contract with the Roman soldiers to tell a lie about the resurrection of Jesus as they paid Judas money to betray him. They show not the slightest tendency to be convinced by the facts though one had risen from the dead.