Matthew 27:65-66: Pilate said to them, You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how. So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
Like liberals today, the Pharisees wanted to make sure that Christ stayed dead. They knew that the resurrection would energize and establish a religion that would eventually destroy Judaism.
Pilate's reaction to the Pharisees was probably not only incensed (they had forced him to execute Jesus), but also amused as he could see their fears and anxiety.
He gave them a detachment of Roman soldiers and appointed them to guard the tomb. His grim words bidding them make it as sure as they could seem almost sardonic. They were soon to learn how helpless they were when God's hour should strike.
They made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. To break that seal would be a crime of the first magnitude, which they felt none of the disciples would dare to attempt, and the guard of soldiers would ensure that no one would be able to steal the body before the three days had elapsed.
It is evident that Christ's declaration that He was to rise again the third day (20:19) had made a deeper impression upon the minds of His enemies than upon the hearts of His own disciples. Although He had mentioned it on several occasions, they never seemed to enter into the mening of His words. They wondered what the rising from the dead could mean (Mark 9:10, 31, Luke 18:33-34).
While they did not expect a resurrection, the leaders of the people feared that the disciples would somehow trick the people. Despite their efforts in sealing the stone, it was rolled away and the Savior arose from the dead.
Jesus is Lord of all, and it was NOT The Will of The Father for Jesus to let death conquer Him. HE conquered death, and no matter what kind of seal Rome put on the grave. Jesus conquered death and the grave! "O death, where is thy STING?" O grave, where is thy victory?"
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