The Body is Removed

55Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.

56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

57When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple came.

58This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up.

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

60and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock, and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed.

61Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

62Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate,

63saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’

64Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He is risen from the dead;’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”

65Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

66So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.

1Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

2Behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it.

3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

4For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.

5The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified.

6He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.

7Go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”