Ye have a watch The meaning is either (1) that Pilate refuses the request; "Ye have a watch of your own" (a) the Levitical temple guard, or (b) a small body of soldiers whom Pilate may have already placed at their disposal or (2) he grants it curtly and angrily, "Take a watch; begone."

The latter view is generally adopted now. It seems quite clear from ch. Matthew 28:14 that the guard was of Roman soldiers.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising