The Chief Priests Bribe The Guards So That They Will Say That Jesus' Body Was Stolen (28:11-15).
This whole Section from Matthew 26:1 onwards commenced with the Chief Priests bribing Judas so that He would betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16), prior to which was the anointing of Jesus (Matthew 26:6-13), now it ends here with the Chief Priests bribing the guards so as to lie about His body being stolen, after which we learn of Jesus' heavenly anointing as He is invested with all authority in Heaven and earth.
Note how this episode is placed specifically in between two appearances of Jesus in His body, in one of which He was actually seized by His legs (Matthew 28:9). People would have to believe whether they received the testimony of men who were asleep, or of those, both men and women, who were wide awake.
Analysis.
a Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told the Chief Priests all the things that had happened (Matthew 28:11).
b And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much money to the soldiers (Matthew 28:12).
c Saying, “Say you, ‘His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept.' And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and rid you of care (Matthew 28:13-14).
b So they took the money, and did as they were taught (Matthew 28:15 a).
a And this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until this day (Matthew 28:15 b).
Note that in ‘a' the guard came and told the Chief Priests what had happened, and in the parallel they went to the Jews and told them what they had been told to say. In ‘b' they were given much money, and in the parallel they took the money and did as they were taught. Centrally in ‘c' we have details of what they were to tell the people, and a guarantee of safety from the governor's wrath.