Request of Pilate for Guards

For all their fastidiousness about the details of Sabbath keeping, the Sanhedrin officials went to see Pilate on the following Saturday, the weekly Sabbath. We’re not told why they waited and went on the Sabbath, but most likely they didn’t initially know where he has buried. If so, surely, they would have requested the guard earlier on Friday, a day between the Sabbaths. However, Matthew is very clear. The went on the day following the “preparation day.”

Some question whose troops guarded the tomb, whether Roman or Jewish. Whatever nationality they were, they were under the authority of the Sanhedrin. The probability is that they were Roman, but loaned out to the Sanhedrin, perhaps for control during the week of Passover.