 | So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first. "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." |
 | Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. |
People may think, that there is a lot of antagonism to the Christian faith today, but the opposition toward Jesus during His time was far greater.
With the Jewish leaders trying to protect their religious power and the Romans asserting their military might, they were not about to let this renegade rabbi Jesus become a symbol of challenge. But even with their best efforts, the power of God could not be stopped.
Empires have tried to stop the gospel for centuries, but no one can keep Jesus body in the grave. His resurrection power lives on and is spreading across the earth!
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC