Matthew 27:57-28:15
Expanded Bible
Jesus Is Buried(A)
57 That evening a rich man named Joseph, a ·follower [disciple] of Jesus from the town of Arimathea, ·came to Jerusalem [or came forward; L came]. 58 Joseph went to Pilate and asked to have Jesus’ body. So Pilate gave orders for ·the soldiers to give it [L it to be given] to Joseph. 59 Then Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. 60 He put Jesus’ body in his own new tomb that he had cut out of a wall of rock, and he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb. Then Joseph went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other woman named Mary were sitting ·near [across from; opposite] the tomb.
The Tomb of Jesus Is Guarded
62 The next day, the day after Preparation Day, the ·leading [T chief] priests and the Pharisees ·went to [assembled/gathered before] Pilate. 63 They said, “Sir, we remember that while that ·liar [deceiver; impostor] was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be ·guarded closely [secured; sealed] till the third day. Otherwise, his ·followers [disciples] might come and steal the body and tell people that he has risen from the dead. ·That lie [L The last deception] would be even worse than the first one.”
65 Pilate said, “·Take some soldiers [or You have a guard; C the phrase could mean Pilate sends Roman soldiers or that the leaders should use their own temple police] and go ·guard [secure] the tomb the best way you know.” 66 So they all went to the tomb and ·made it safe from thieves [secured it] ·by sealing [or by placing a wax seal on] the stone in the entrance and putting soldiers there to guard it.
Jesus Rises from the Dead(B)
28 After the Sabbath day, at dawn on the first day the week, Mary Magdalene and ·another woman named Mary [L the other Mary; 27:56] went to look at the tomb.
2 ·At that time [Suddenly; T And behold] there was a strong earthquake. [L For] An angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb, and rolled the stone away from the entrance. Then he sat on the stone. 3 ·He was shining as bright as [L His appearance was like] lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The soldiers guarding the tomb shook with fear because of the angel, and they ·became like dead men [C perhaps they were paralyzed by fear, or they fainted].
5 The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who has been crucified. 6 He is not here. He has ·risen [been raised] from the dead as he said he would. Come and see the place where ·his body was [he lay]. 7 And go quickly and tell his ·followers [disciples], ‘Jesus has risen from the dead. He is going into Galilee ahead of you, and you will see him there.’” Then the angel said, “·Now [L Look; T Behold] I have told you.”
8 The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, but they were also ·very happy [filled with great joy]. They ran to tell Jesus’ ·followers [disciples] what had happened. 9 ·Suddenly [L And look/T behold], Jesus met them and said, “Greetings.” The women came up to him, ·took hold of [clasped] his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my ·followers [disciples] to go on to Galilee, and they will see me there.”
The Soldiers Report to the Leaders
11 While the women ·went to tell Jesus’ followers [were on their way], some of the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb went into the city to tell the ·leading [T chief] priests everything that had happened. 12 Then the priests met with the elders and made a plan. They paid the soldiers a ·large amount of money [substantial bribe] 13 and said to them, “Tell the people that Jesus’ ·followers [disciples] came during the night and stole ·the body [him away] while you were asleep. 14 If the governor hears about this, we will satisfy him and save you from trouble.” 15 So the soldiers kept the money and did as they were ·told [instructed]. And that story is still spread among the ·people [L Jews] even ·today [to this day].
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