If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
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...
Verse 14. 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, (1.) they knew from the character of Pilate that he could be easily bribed.
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...