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^{(A) 63} and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’^{(B) 64} Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples^(C) 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^[a] a guard of soldiers,”^[b] 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.^[c](D)

⁵⁵ The women^(A) who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. ⁵⁶ Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.^(B) And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.^(C)