Matthew 27:52-66

52The tombs were opened, and the bodies of many holy people who had died came back to life.

53They came out of the tombs after he had come back to life, and they went into the holy city where they appeared to many people.

54An army officer and those watching Jesus with him saw the earthquake and the other things happening. They were terrified and said, “Certainly, this was the Son of God!”

55Many women were there watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee and had always supported him.

56Among them were Mary from Magdala, Mary (the mother of James and Joseph), and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

57In the evening a rich man named Joseph arrived. He was from the city of Arimathea and had become a disciple of Jesus.

58He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

59Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.

60Then he laid it in his own new tomb, which had been cut in a rock. After rolling a large stone against the door of the tomb, he went away.

61Mary from Magdala and the other Mary were sitting there, facing the tomb.

62The next day, which was the day of rest—a holy day, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together and went to Pilate.

63They said, “Sir, we remember how that deceiver said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will be brought back to life.’

64Therefore, give the order to make the tomb secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may steal him and say to the people, ‘He has been brought back to life.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65Pilate told them, “You have the soldiers you want for guard duty. Go and make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

66So they went to secure the tomb. They placed a seal on the stone and posted the soldiers on guard duty.