Matthew 27:57-66

57As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus,

58went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.

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

60He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

61Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

62The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.

63They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’

64So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.”

65Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.”

66So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.