# Connecting Statement:

This begins the account of the reaction of the Jewish religious leaders when they heard of Jesus' resurrection.

# Now

This word is used here to mark a break in the main storyline. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

# the women

Here this refers to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.

# behold

This marks the beginning of another event in the larger story. It may involve different people than the previous events. Your language may have a way of doing this.

# discussed the matter with them

"decided on a plan among themselves." The priests and elders decided to give the money to the soldiers.

# Say to others, 'Jesus' disciples came ... while we were sleeping.'

If your language does not allow quotations within quotations you may translate this as a single quote. AT: "Tell others that Jesus' disciples came ... while you were sleeping" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])