The Guard at the Tomb

⁶² The next day, that is, after the day of ^(A)Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate ⁶³ and said, “Sir, we remember how ^(B)that impostor said, while he was still alive, ^(C)‘After three days I will rise.’ ⁶⁴ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, ^(D)lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” ⁶⁵ Pilate said to them, “You have ^(E)a guard^[a] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” ⁶⁶ So they went and made the tomb secure by ^(F)sealing the stone and setting a guard.

⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, ^(A)he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” ⁸ So they departed quickly from the tomb ^(B)with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ And behold, Jesus ^(C)met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and ^(D)took hold of his feet and ^(E)worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; ^(F)go and tell ^(G)my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

The Report of the Guard

¹¹ While they were going, behold, some of ^(H)the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. ¹² And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers ¹³ and said, “Tell people, ^(I)‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴ And if this comes to ^(J)the governor's ears, we will ^(K)satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews ^(L)to this day.