Matthew 27:61-66

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61} Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.

The Closely Guarded Tomb

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62} The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate^(A) ^{Tools
63} and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’^(B) ^{Tools
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.”

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

Footnotes:

a. Matthew 27:65: Or “Take

b. Matthew 27:65: It is uncertain whether this guard consisted of temple police or Roman soldiers.

c. Matthew 27:66: Lit stone with the guard

Cross references:

A. Matthew 27:62: Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14; John 19:31; John 19:42

B. Matthew 27:63: Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 20:19; Mark 8:31; Mark 10:34; Luke 9:22; Luke 18:33

C. Matthew 27:64: Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:26; Mark 3:7; Mark 16:20; Luke 6:13; John 12:16

D. Matthew 27:66: Daniel 6:17; Matthew 28:2; Matthew 28:11