*Matthew 27:57-66
After Jesus’ crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate for Jesus’ body and buries it in his own tomb.
- Joseph of Arimathea’s Request:
- After Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected member of the council who was also a disciple of Jesus, courageously approaches Pilate to request Jesus’ body.
- Pilate agrees and orders the body to be released to Joseph.
- The Burial of Jesus:
- Joseph takes Jesus’ body, wraps it in a clean linen cloth, and places it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of rock.
- He rolls a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and departs.
- Women Witness the Burial:
- Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, both followers of Jesus, sit opposite the tomb, witnessing the burial and the sealing of the tomb with the stone.
- The Chief Priests and Pharisees Secure the Tomb:
- The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees go to Pilate, expressing concerns that Jesus’ disciples might steal the body and claim He has risen, as Jesus had predicted His resurrection.
- They recall Jesus’ prophecy of rising after three days and request the tomb be made secure.
- Pilate’s Response:
- Pilate permits them to secure the tomb as best as they can.
- They go and make the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard to watch over it, ensuring no one can tamper with or steal Jesus’ body.
Matthew 27:57-66 reminds us that even when things seem hopeless, God is still at work. Jesus’ body was placed in a tomb, and His followers likely felt defeated, but His story wasn’t over—God had a greater plan. We can apply this by trusting God, even when we don’t see immediate answers or feel stuck in difficult situations. Just like Jesus’ resurrection was coming, God can bring new hope and purpose into our lives. Instead of giving in to fear or doubt, we should hold on to faith, knowing that God’s plans are always bigger than what we can see.
Matthew 27:57-66 (WEB)
27:57 When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple, came. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock. Then he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.62 Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He is risen from the dead;’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.