*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.
27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 27:58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.
27:59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
27:61 And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.
27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.