Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus - but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews - petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So Joseph came and took the body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a large amount of myrrh and aloes.  They took Jesus' body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in clean linens with the spices. There was a garden near the place He was crucified, and in the garden Joseph’s own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock.  They rolled a large stone across the entrance.  After sundown, the high priests and Pharisees arranged a meeting with Pilate. 

They said, "Sir, we just remembered that that liar announced while He was still alive, 'After three days I will be raised.'  We've got to get that tomb sealed until the third day. There's a good chance His disciples will come and steal the corpse and then go around saying, 'He's risen from the dead.'  Then we'll be worse off than before, the final deceit surpassing the first." Pilate told them, "You will have a guard. Go ahead and secure it the best you can."  So they went out and secured the tomb, sealing the stone and posting guards.