The chief priests gathered together with the leaders and agreed on a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money and told them to say that Jesus’ disciples had come at night and had stolen his body while they were sleeping. ⌞They added,⌟ “If the governor hears about it, we’ll take care of it, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.”
The soldiers took the money and did as they were told. Their story has been spread among the Jewish people to this day.