And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate,

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

Therefore, give the order to secure the grave site until the third day, so his disciples will not steal his body and then tell the people 'He has risen from the dead.' This last deception would be worse than the first one [i.e., the claim that Jesus rose from the dead would be worse than the claim that he was the Messiah]."

"You may have a guard," was Pilate's reply; "go and make the tomb as secure as you can."

So they went, and made safe the place where his body was, putting a stamp on the stone, and the watchmen were with them.

Now late on sabbath, as it was the dusk of the next day after sabbath, came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to look at the sepulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

he is not here, for he rose, as he said; come, see the place where the Lord was lying;

And having gone quickly, say ye to his disciples, that he was raised from the dead; and, behold, he leads before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him: behold I have said to you.

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continueth until this day.

And having come near, Jesus spake to them, saying, 'Given to me was all authority in heaven and on earth;