The news of Jesus' resurrection spread from city to city and from town to town. The Jewish leaders were afraid they might be killed for crucifying Jesus. They tried to hide their hatred for the disciples. The leaders' only hope was to spread their false report far and wide. The people who wanted to believe the lie that Jesus' body had been stolen by the disciples accepted the false report. SRme 1.1048
Pilate trembled when he heard that Jesus had risen. Pilate believed the reports that Jesus was alive. From that hour Pilate never again had peace. Pilate had delivered Jesus to die to gain worldly honor, to save his authority, and protect his own life. Now Pilate believed that he was guilty not only of the death of an innocent man, but of the death of the Son of God. So Pilate was miserable the rest of his life. Every bright hope, every joyful feeling was crushed. Pilate refused to be comforted. He died a miserable death. SRme 1.1049