Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The guards reported to the chief priests the earthquake, the angel, and the empty tomb. It is very difficult to believe that soldiers of Pilate would admit falling asleep; that would be tantamount to suicide. But temple police could more easily be bribed, even though it took “a large sum of money,” and could more easily be protected from Pilate’s anger. Once again the instinctive concern of the Jewish leaders relates to expedience and the people’s reaction, not to the truth.