Matthew 27:57–28:15

The Burial of Jesus

57 When it was evening, e a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple f of Jesus. 58 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate ordered that it g be released. 59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in * clean, fine linen, 60 and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. h 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.

The Closely Guarded Tomb

62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the * Pharisees gathered before Pilate i 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ j 64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples k 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.”

65 “You have l a guard of soldiers,” m Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard. n o

Resurrection Morning

28 After the Sabbath, p as the first day of the week was dawning, * Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. q 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. r 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

5 But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. s 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. t 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, u ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” v

8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then w Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. x 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.” y

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie

11 As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the * chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests z had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, a we will deal with b him and keep you out of trouble.” c 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day. d