Matthew 28:12-15

12The leaders of the priests and the important Jews met together. They decided what they should do now. They gave the soldiers a lot of money as a bribe.

13They said to the soldiers, ‘When people ask you, you must say this: “Jesus' disciples came to the rock in the night and they took his body away. We were asleep when they did this.”

14If the Roman ruler Pilate hears about this, we will explain things to him. Do not be afraid. He will not punish you.’

15The soldiers took the money. They told people what the Jewish leaders told them to say. Many Jews heard the soldiers' story. Even today they still believe that it happened like that.