Matthew 28:14

We will persuade him, and rid you of care

(ημεις πεισομεν κα υμας αμεριμνους ποιησομεν). They would try money also on Pilate and assume all responsibility. Hence the soldiers have no anxiety (αμεριμνους, alpha privative and μεριμναω, 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

(διεφημισθη) diligently by the Jews to excuse their disbelief in the Messiahship of Jesus.