Matthew 28:14

Mat 28:14. Ἐὰν, κ.τ.λ., if etc.) How laborious is the warfare of falsehood against truth.—ἐπὶ, officially before).

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Mat 28:14 . ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ , either: if this come to the ears of, etc., as in A. V [161] , or: if this come to a hearing, a trial, before, etc., as in R. V [162] margin. The latter is preferred by many modern commentators. The reading ἐπὶ τ . ἡ . suits the second sense best. Cf. 1Co 6:1 , 1Ti 5:19 . ἡμεῖς , emphatic, implying a great idea of their influence, on their part. πείσομεν , will persuade him; how not said, money conceivably in their minds. Kypke renders: will appease; so also Loesner (“aliquem pacare vel precibus vel donis”), citing examples from Philo. The ordinary punishment for falling asleep on the watch was death. Could soldiers be persuaded by any amount of money to run such a risk? Of course they might take the money and go away laughing at the donors, meaning to tell their general the truth. Could the priests expect anything else? If not, could they propose the project seriously? The story has its difficulties. ἀμερίμνους , free from grounds of anxiety; guaranteed against all possible unpleasant consequences. Bengel’s comment on this verse is: “Quam laboriosum bellum mendacii contra veritatem!”

[161] Authorised Version.

[162] Revised Version.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For it was to be feared, that it would be brought to the governor’s ears.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

And if this come to the governor's ears--rather, "If this come before the governor"; that is, not in the way of mere report, but for judicial investigation.

we will persuade him, and secure you--The "we" and the "you" are emphatic here--"we shall [take care to] persuade him and keep you from trouble," or "save you harmless." The grammatical form of this clause implies that the thing supposed was expected to happen. The meaning then is, "If this come before the governor--as it likely will--we shall see to it that," &c. The "persuasion" of Pilate meant, doubtless, quieting him by a bribe, which we know otherwise he was by no means above taking (like Felix afterwards, Act 24:26).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 14. If this came to the governor's ears] Pilate - we will persuade him that it is for his own interest and honour to join in the deception; and we will render you secure - we will take care that you shalt not suffer that punishment for this pretended breach of duty which otherwise you might expect.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

14. persuade] By bribes. Euripides says “they say that gifts persuade even gods.” (Medea, 964.) The soldiers might readily believe that Pilate was open to the same inducement which persuaded them.

secure you] “Make you free from anxiety.” The only other place where the word occurs in N. T. is 1Co_7:32, “I would have you without carefulness.”

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And if this come to the governor's ears,.... Not the governor of the watch, but Pontius Pilate the governor of Judea: if this should be told him, and should be heard by him; or this matter should come before him, and be under his examination, and there should be any danger of punishment; for to sleep on the watch was severely punished by the Romans:

we will, persuade him; that this is the true state of the case, and intercede with him, and make use of all our interest, not to punish for it: or will persuade him, that though this is a false account, yet it will be much better that it should go in this way, for his own peace, and the peace of the nation, and the security of the Roman government; since, should it spread among the people, that this person was really raised from the dead, they would, one and all, believe he was the true Messiah, and would set him up as a king, and seize upon the government in favour of him:

and will secure you; indemnify you, bear you harmless, keep you from punishment; so that you need not be under any care, or concern on this account.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

Ver. 14. We will persuade him and secure you] Hypocrites have enough, if they can collogue with men, and escape the lash of the law. "God is not in all their thoughts," Psa 10:4, or they think they can persuade him and secure themselves. Hence that overflow of sin, through hope of impunity, and abundance of atheism.

{a} To speak fair, employ feigned flattery or blandishment; to gloze; to deal flatteringly or deceitfully with any one, in order to cajole him or curry favour with him. ŒD

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The governor’s ears - To Pilate. If it is reported to him that Jesus was stolen while you slept.

We will persuade him - We will convince or satisfy him, so that he shall not punish you. This they might promise with safety; for,

They knew from the character of Pilate that he could be easily bribed. Pilate, after the feast of the Passover, was accustomed to return to Caesarea. He had not been inclined at all to interfere in anything concerning the Saviour until it was urged upon him by the Jews.

He would not be disposed, “of himself,” to take any further trouble about the matter. He would feel that all that could be demanded of him had been done, and would not be disposed further to interfere, unless the Sanhedrin should demand it. This, of course, they would not do.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

14. If this come to the governor’s ears — As Pilate would soon return to Cesarea it was not likely to come to his ears. Persuade — Appease.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And if this come to the governor"s ears; if this be heard before the governor; i.e. if the matter be brought officially before the procurator. For a Roman soldier to sleep on his post was to incur the penalty of death. Pilate would not be likely to hear of what had taken place, as vulgar rumours were not encouraged by his stern and unsympathizing attitude towards the Jewish people, but it was just possible that some officious person might bring the report before him, and ask him to take measures to ascertain the truth, and, if necessary, to punish the delinquents. We (hmeiv , emphatic) will persuade him. Such persuasion usually took the form of bribery, Roman officials being notoriously venal; (comp. Act_24:26) but perhaps the rulers intended to make him believe that the story was not true, but merely a ruse to keep the populace quiet. The soldiers must have fully believed in the Sanhedrists" assertion, or they would never have imperilled their lives by promulgating such a condemnatory tale. Secure you; rid you of care. They promise the guard indemnity and freedom from all penal consequences. Pilate, however, later learned the great fact of Christ"s resurrection, and though, as far as we know, he took no steps towards punishing the guard (being probably convinced of its supernatural occurrence), yet, according to a fragment of Hegesippus, and Eusebius, "Chronic.," 2:2, he sent an account of the matter to Tiberius, who, in consequence, endeavoured to make the senate pass a decree enrolling Jesus in the list of Roman gods. This fact is attested by Tertullian ("Apolog.," 5.).

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14. If this come to the governor's ears, etc. As he had taken so little interest in the matter as to leave the watch to them it was not likely it would come to his ears at all, as we know that he was wont to spend only a few days at Jerusalem and then return to Cæsarea.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

If this report reaches the governor

"If the governor hears that you were asleep when Jesus' disciples took his body"

the governor

"Pilate" (Matthew 27:2)

we will persuade him and take any worries away from you

"do not worry. We will talk to him so that he does not punish you."

did as they had been instructed

This can be translated in active form. AT: "did what the priests had told them to do" (See: Active or Passive)

This report spread widely among the Jews and continues even today

"Many Jews heard this report and continue to tell others about it even today"

even today

This refers to the time Matthew wrote the book.

translationWords

report

govern

Jew

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

14. ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος. ‘Before the governor.’ With this use of ἐπὶ comp. ἐπὶ μαρτύρων, 1Ti 5:19; ἐπὶ τῶν ἀδίκων … ἐπὶ τῶν ἁγίων, 1Co 6:1, ‘at the bar of,’ and the common phrases ἐπὶ δικαστῶν, δικαστηρίων. These expressions are closely connected with the physical notion of ἐπὶ, ‘upon.’ A matter may be said to rest upon witnesses or judges, i.e. depend upon their evidence or decision. This use explains the expression in the text, which means either, (1) ‘If the matter should be heard in the Procurator’s Court’—come before him officially. (2) Or perhaps in a more general sense; ‘If rumours of it should come before him’—if he should hear of it.

πείσομεν. ‘Will persuade’ (by bribes). Cp. Eur. Medea 964, μή μοι σύ, πείθειν δῶρα καὶ θεοὺς λόγος· | χρυσὸς δὲ κρείσσων μυρίων λόγων βροτοῖς. Hdt. VIII. 134, ξεῖνόν τινα καὶ οὐ Θηβαῖον χρήμασι πείσας.

ἀμερίμνους. At Rome, in Cicero’s time, judicial bribery was so organized that contracts were taken to secure acquittal by this means. And the whole process of bribery had a special vocabulary, in which this very word ἀμέριμνος appears to have had a place, Curio meeting Verres and assuring him that he has won his acquittal by bribery: ‘hunc jubet sine cura esse: renuntio inquit tibi te hodiernis comitiis esse absolutum.’ ἀμέριμνος here and 1Co 7:32 only in N.T.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14.] Not only ‘come to the ears of the governor,’ but be borne witness of before the governor, come before him officially: i.e. ‘if a stir be made, and you be in trouble about it:’ see reff.

[πείσομεν, viz. by a bribe of money, see Trench on the A.V. p. 72.]

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14. And if it be heard before the governor, we will appease him, and make you secure.]

(P)

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

We will persuade [πεισομεν] . i e., satisfy or appease. Compare Gal 1:10. "Do I conciliate men or God ?"

Secure you [υμας αμεριμνους ποιησομεν] . Lit., make you without care. The word secure, however, is, etymologically, a correct rendering. It is from the Latin se = sine, without, and cura, care. It has passed into the popular meaning to make safe. Compare 1Co 7:32. "I would have you to be free from cares" (Rev.).

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.