Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 28:14
And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
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.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The governors 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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
14. And if this come to thegovernor’s earsrather, “If this come before thegovernor”; that is, not in the way of mere report, but forjudicial investigation.
we will persuade him, andsecure youThe “we” and the “you” areemphatic here”we shall [take care to] persuade him and keepyou from trouble,” or “save you harmless.” Thegrammatical form of this clause implies that the thing supposed wasexpected to happen. The meaning then is, “If this come beforethe governoras it likely willwe shall see to it that,” &c.The “persuasion” of Pilate meant, doubtless, quieting himby a bribe, which we know otherwise he was by no means above taking(like Felix afterwards, Ac 24:26).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
We will persuade him, and rid you of care ( ). They would try money also on Pilate and assume all responsibility. Hence the soldiers have no anxiety (, alpha privative and , to be anxious). They lived up to their bargain and this lie lives on through the ages. Justin (Dial. 108) accuses the Jews of spreading the charge. Bengel: Quam laboriosum bellum mendacii contra veritatem.
It was spread about () diligently by the Jews to excuse their disbelief in the Messiahship of Jesus.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
We will persuade [] . i e., satisfy or appease. Compare Gal 1:10. “Do I conciliate men or God ?”
Secure you [ ] . 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.).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
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.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care.
The problem with such a story for the soldiers was that it might reach the governor’s ears, which would not please him very much. And they knew that they had been acting under his instructions. But they were assured by their employers that they would then see that everything was all right for them. They promised that they would use their influence, and probably more money, in order to ensure that there were no repercussions. Had these been Roman soldiers we might in fact have expected their fear to be that their Commanders found out (Pilate would have returned to Caesarea, or would be on the point of doing so). It was they who would be directly responsible for disciplining such a failure. It is very unlikely that they would have believed that their commanders could be bribed. Thus again we have the impression that these were the Chief Priests’ soldiers.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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. D
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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.
[ , viz. by a bribe of money, see Trench on the A.V. p. 72.]
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 28:14 . , 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 . . suits the second sense best. Cf. 1Co 6:1 , 1Ti 5:19 . , emphatic, implying a great idea of their influence, on their part. , 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. , 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.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
if this come, &c. = Should this come, &c. A condition of uncertainty. App-118.
persuade = satisfy: i.e.
bribe. Compare Gal 1:1, Gal 1:10. See App-150.
secure you = free you from care: i.e. make you safe, or screen you. Compare 1Co 7:32.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
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.
[, viz. by a bribe of money, see Trench on the A.V. p. 72.]
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 28:14. , …, if etc.) How laborious is the warfare of falsehood against truth.-, officially before).
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
we: Act 12:19
Reciprocal: Exo 23:1 – shalt not Gal 1:10 – persuade
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8:14
Thayer says to persuade means “to win one’s good will.” Pilate was a wavering sort of governor as had been shown in this case, and they felt sure they could influence him to let the soldiers off without punishment. Another thing, they said if this come to the governor’s ears; there is no proof that he ever heard the report.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 28:14. And if this (i.e., the reported sleeping on guard) come to the governors ears. There is no evidence that Pilate took any notice of the matter, but the soldiers ran a risk, against which they are now insured.
We will persuade him. A hint at further and costly bribery; for Pilate was avaricious and corrupt. But he may never have heard the story.
Make you secure. They were ready to promise this, though to gain their end they would not scruple to sacrifice their tools.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 14
The governors; Pilate’s.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
28:14 And if this {e} come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
(e) For it was to be feared that it would be brought to the governor’s ears.