Καὶ ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος, ἡμεῖς πείσομεν αὐτὸν, καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν.
Introduction
Matthew 28:14 presents a case of political strategy expressed through conditional syntax and future-oriented verbal constructions. Spoken by the chief priests to the soldiers, this verse contains conditional modality, implied social manipulation, and legal nuance. The Greek grammar reveals a persuasive structure dependent on mood, aspect, and pronoun emphasis. Every clause is economically constructed yet dense with rhetorical power.
Conditional Clause: ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο
– The clause begins with ἐὰν, a conditional particle used with the subjunctive to form a third-class (future more probable) condition.
– ἀκουσθῇ is aorist passive subjunctive, 3rd person singular of ἀκούω, meaning “to hear.”
– The passive voice indicates that the subject (unspecified here) receives the action of hearing.
– The aorist subjunctive denotes a potential event viewed as a whole: “if this should be heard.”
– τοῦτο is the nominative/accusative neuter singular demonstrative pronoun: “this.”
– In this case, accusative, functioning as the direct object of ἀκουσθῇ.
– Together: “And if this should be heard…”
– The use of ἐὰν with aorist subjunctive highlights a potential future scenario, contingent upon external perception or exposure.
Prepositional Phrase: ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος
– ἐπὶ is a preposition here governing the genitive τοῦ ἡγεμόνος.
– With the genitive, ἐπὶ can denote jurisdiction, audience, or figurative “in the presence of.”
– ἡγεμόνος is genitive singular of ἡγεμών, meaning “governor” or “ruler.”
– The phrase can be understood as: “before the governor” or “to the ears of the governor.”
– Likely referring to Pontius Pilate.
– The syntax implies that the information (the resurrection story) might reach official Roman authority.
– This carries legal weight and potential danger for the bribed soldiers.
Main Clause A: ἡμεῖς πείσομεν αὐτὸν
– ἡμεῖς: emphatic first-person plural pronoun, “we.”
– Emphasis reinforces the speaker’s authority and assurance.
– πείσομεν: future active indicative, 1st person plural of πείθω, meaning “to persuade” or “convince.”
– αὐτὸν: accusative singular masculine pronoun, referring back to ὁ ἡγεμών.
– The verb πείσομεν expresses future resolve or assurance: “we will persuade him.”
– The passive subjunctive clause above is now met with an assertive, active future: the speaker pledges influence over Roman authority.
– The verb πείθω here may imply bribery, manipulation, or rhetorical persuasion.
Main Clause B: καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν
– καὶ: coordinating conjunction, joining this clause to the previous.
– ὑμᾶς: accusative plural 2nd person pronoun—”you.”
– ἀμερίμνους: accusative plural adjective from ἀμέριμνος, meaning “free from care,” “unconcerned,” “untroubled.”
– The root idea is freedom from anxiety or legal worry.
– ποιήσομεν: future active indicative, 1st person plural of ποιέω, “to make” or “to cause.”
– This is a causative construction: “we will make you untroubled.”
– Implies protection, immunity, or hush money.
– The promise is to prevent any consequences should the report of Jesus’ resurrection reach Roman ears.
Syntactical Structure
The structure follows this outline:
1. Conditional protasis: ἐὰν ἀκουσθῇ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡγεμόνος
2. Main apodosis:
– ἡμεῖς πείσομεν αὐτὸν
– καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν
This structure illustrates classical third-class conditional form in Koine Greek: a real future condition with high probability, followed by future indicative verbs in the main clause. The syntax is balanced, legalistic, and strongly rhetorical.
Verbal Strategy and Manipulation
– The use of πείσομεν and ποιήσομεν in the future active indicative suggests decisive agency.
– The subjects (ἡμεῖς) are in control of outcomes, while ὑμᾶς are the recipients of influence and protection.
– This is a calculated reassurance, structured as a conditional incentive.
– The phraseology mimics political negotiation, not theological discourse—offering us a rare example of secular persuasion language in the Gospels.
Lexical Notes
– πείθω: While often positive in moral exhortation, here it carries a possibly sinister connotation—an attempt to cover up the truth.
– ἀμέριμνος: Used elsewhere to describe those undistracted by worldly concerns, it here denotes legal freedom from retribution.
– ποιέω: Commonly used for both physical actions and abstract causation—here, a verb of agency with psychological consequences.
Social and Political Overtones
This verse reflects the interplay between religious authority and Roman political power. The priests speak with confidence that they can influence the ἡγεμών—a bold assertion, given the Roman magistracy’s independence. Their assurance is not only grammatical; it is sociopolitical. The phrase ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν implies a promise of legal impunity—very likely through bribery or diplomatic pressure.
A masterclass in Greek Conditional Syntax
Matthew 28:14 is a masterclass in Greek conditional syntax and rhetorical manipulation. The use of aorist subjunctive for contingent threat, followed by coordinated future indicatives, creates a persuasive and controlling tone. The verbs πείσομεν and ποιήσομεν mark the speaker’s confidence in shaping both political and emotional outcomes. This verse illustrates how even non-theological Greek in the New Testament carries significant weight when parsed grammatically, socially, and linguistically.
