συμβούλιον

From the study of Matthew 27:1

Range of meaning

συμβούλιον can mean (1) a plan or decision reached by consulting together, (2) the act of consulting, or (3) a council or advisory body, such as a Roman governor's board of advisers (Acts 25:12). The phrase 'take a symboulion' is a set expression meaning 'to form a plan, reach a decision, resolve on something.'

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT have 'took counsel.' To a modern ear that can sound like 'asked for advice' or 'talked it over.' BSB has 'conspired.' NASB has 'conferred together.' NIV and NLT make it 'made plans.' The Greek points to a decision actually reached, not just discussion. 'Conspired' catches the hostile intent but adds a note of secrecy that the phrase does not itself carry.

How it drifted

In older English, 'take counsel' meant to deliberate and resolve. Today 'counsel' mostly means advice or a lawyer, so the decisive sense has faded.

Used elsewhere in the period

The phrase seems to copy the Latin idiom consilium capere ('to form a plan'). That makes it one of the Latin-flavoured expressions in Gospel Greek, and it turns up in papyri of the Roman period. Matthew is the only New Testament writer who uses it, five times, every time for a hostile or self-protective plan by the authorities: the Pharisees plot to destroy Jesus (12:14), plot to trap him (22:15), plan here to kill him (27:1), decide to buy the potter's field with Judas' silver (27:7), and decide to bribe the tomb guards (28:12). The Latin Vulgate gives the same idiom: consilium inierunt. Mark 15:1 has a similar phrase, symboulion poiēsantes ('having made a plan/held a consultation').

From the study of Mark 3:6

Range of meaning

'Counsel' in the sense of a plan reached by consulting together, a resolution, or the act of consulting. It can also mean the body that consults, a 'council' (Acts 25:12, the Roman governor's advisers). The word appears to be a Greek equivalent of Latin consilium. Phrases like 'take counsel' (symboulion lambanein, Matthew 12:14; 27:1) copy Latin consilium capere.

Against the English

KJV/ESV 'took/held counsel' keeps the formal, deliberative tone. NIV/BSB 'began plotting' and WEB/NASB 'conspired / began conspiring' bring out the sinister purpose. 'Plot' is fair in context, but the Greek pictures a planning session more than a secret whisper.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDAG gives 'plan, purpose' and 'council'. The phrase appears in Matthew 12:14; 22:15; 27:1, 7; 28:12 and Mark 15:1. The verb in Mark 3:6, 'give', is odd. Scribes often replaced it with 'make' (epoioun), which suggests 'give' is the original, harder reading.

From the study of Mark 15:1

Range of meaning

(1) A deliberation, or the plan or decision it produces. (2) A group of advisers or a council, such as a Roman magistrate's panel of advisers. The phrase with 'make' or 'take' (symboulion poiein / lambanein) closely matches the Latin consilium facere / capere, 'to hold a consultation, to resolve on a course'.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT have 'held/made a consultation', which stresses the meeting. BSB has 'devised a plan', and NLT 'met to discuss their next step', which stress the outcome. Other versions speak of reaching a decision. The Greek covers both: a deliberation that ends in a resolution.

Used elsewhere in the period

BDAG gives both senses. In Mark 3:6 the Pharisees and Herodians 'gave counsel/took counsel' (symboulion) to destroy Jesus. Matthew uses symboulion lambanein several times for plotting against Jesus (12:14; 22:15; 27:1, 7; 28:12). In Acts 25:12 Governor Festus confers 'with his council (symboulion)', meaning his panel of advisers. The Latin Vulgate renders this verse with consilium facientes, showing how naturally the phrase matched Roman legal language.