Guarding the Tomb
Students may read Matthew 27:62-66
After Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb, the chief priests remembered that Jesus had said, “After three days I will rise again.” Thus, on Saturday, they went to Pilate to ask for a guard of Roman soldiers to watch over the tomb. They wanted to make sure that Jesus’ disciples would not steal his body and then proclaim that Jesus had risen from the dead. Pilate agreed to their request. The soldiers sealed the tomb and then settled down to keep watch.
Discussion Questions
During the night, something astonishing happened at the tomb. The large stone, which blocked the entrance, began to roll. How do you think the guards reacted? Who rolled the stone, and what are some reasons why this was done?
