When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple. He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. The Pilate commanded the body to be dilevered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.

And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting against the sepulcher.

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, 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 that the first."

Pilate said unto them "Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can." So they went and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone and setting a watch. (Matthew 27:57-66)

In the end of the Sabbath, as it begun to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women "Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matthew 28:1-6)

Is it not possible and reasonable as well that the "watch," also referred to as the "keepers," were young Roman soldiers Carsus and Felix and that they were witness to the great event described in the above scripture?

--Doyle Hammon

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