The deception of the religious leaders

When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them,

"You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."

So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day."