They could rest little upon the Sabbath. Though they would not step 778 over a Gentile's threshold for fear of defilement, yet they held a council concerning the body of Christ. Death and the grave must hold Him whom they had crucified. "The chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulcher 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." Matt. 27:62-65.

De lidendes klageråb gjorde det klart for tusinder af sjæle, at et stort lys var blevet slukket i verden. Uden Kristus var jorden kun mørke og tomhed. Mange, hvis røst havde forstærket råbet: "Korsfæst, korsfæst ham," forstod nu tydeligt, hvilken ulykke der havde ramt dem, og de ville med lige så stor iver have råbt: Giv os Jesus tilbage! gid han dog endnu levede.