sumboulion denotes deliberation or a council, especially when leaders make plans or decisions together.

The predominant use concerns collective deliberation leading to a plan or decision, often directed against Jesus or toward a practical action. A single occurrence also presents the term in connection with a council consulted before Festus gives his answer.

1. Collective deliberation leading to a plan · dominant

   In Matthew 12:14, Matthew 22:15, and Matthew 27:1, the accusative singular occurs where the Pharisees or chief priests and elders act together against Jesus; the APB renders the clauses "took counsel" and describes their intended destruction or entrapment. In Matthew 27:7 and Matthew 28:12, the same form accompanies a decision about the potter's field and the giving of money; Mark 3:6 likewise places it in a plot with the Herodians.

   Matthew 12:14Matthew 22:15Matthew 27:1Matthew 27:7Matthew 28:12Mark 3:6
2. A consulted council · rare

   In Acts 25:12, the genitive singular occurs after Festus confers before answering an appeal to Caesar. The APB renders the surrounding clause "after conferring with the council," presenting a body involved in the consultation.

   Acts 25:12

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the surrounding clauses as "took counsel," "plot," "made their plans," and "conferring with the council." In Matthew 28:12 it describes the elders' assembly and payment without an explicit corresponding English term, so these are whole-verse renderings.