The Closely Guarded Tomb

62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate(A) 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(B) 64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples(C) may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “You have[a] a guard of soldiers,”[b] Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.[c](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:65 Or “Take
  2. Matthew 27:65 It is uncertain whether this guard consisted of temple police or Roman soldiers.
  3. Matthew 27:66 Lit stone with the guard

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(A) 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body(B) and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,”(C) Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal(D) on the stone(E) and posting the guard.(F)

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