Matthew 27:57-66 · Matthew

Burial of Jesus

Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus, requests Jesus' body from Pilate and places it in his own new tomb. The chief priests and Pharisees secure the tomb with a stone and set a watch to prevent Jesus' disciples from stealing the body.

Summary

This passage details the burial of Jesus, a significant event in the Gospel of Matthew that sets the stage for the resurrection. After Jesus' crucifixion, a wealthy man named Joseph from Arimathaea, who is also a follower of Jesus, steps forward. Joseph approaches Pilate, the Roman governor, to request the body of Jesus for burial (Matthew 27:57-58). Pilate grants this request, allowing Joseph to take the body.

Joseph takes Jesus' body, wraps it in a clean linen cloth, and places it in his own new tomb, which is carved out of rock (Matthew 27:59-60). He then rolls a large stone across the tomb's entrance and leaves. Mary Magdalene and another Mary are present, sitting across from the tomb, witnessing these events (Matthew 27:61). The following day, the chief priests and Pharisees visit Pilate. They express concern that Jesus' disciples might steal the body and claim He has risen, as Jesus had predicted His resurrection after three days (Matthew 27:62-63). They request that the tomb be secured to prevent any tampering (Matthew 27:64).

Pilate agrees to their request, providing them with a guard to secure the tomb. The priests and Pharisees seal the stone and set a watch to ensure the tomb remains undisturbed (Matthew 27:65-66). The passage concludes with the tomb being sealed and guarded, establishing a secure setting for the subsequent events that are to unfold.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

Matthew 27:57-60

“Joseph...wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb”

B

Matthew 27:63

“After three days I will rise again”

A'

Matthew 27:64-66

“made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch”

Both A and A' involve actions taken to secure Jesus' body, with A focusing on burial and A' on preventing resurrection claims.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The passage in Matthew 27:57-66 primarily establishes the secure and deliberate burial of Jesus, emphasizing the precautions taken by both His followers and His adversaries. Joseph of Arimathaea's actions, along with the sealing and guarding of the tomb, highlight the seriousness with which Jesus' death and burial were treated. These efforts ensure that the tomb's security is not merely a narrative detail but a crucial setup for the upcoming event of the resurrection. The description of the tomb and its sealing underscores the authenticity and miraculous nature of what follows, as even under these strict conditions, Jesus' resurrection occurs.

The Catholic interpretation focuses on the sealed and guarded tomb as a testament to the divine power of Jesus' resurrection. This view argues that the precautions taken by the chief priests and Pharisees, including setting a watch and sealing the stone (verses 65-66), serve to magnify the miraculous nature of the empty tomb. These measures meant to prevent tampering only highlight that no human intervention could account for Jesus' rising. The emphasis is on the divine intervention required to break through these earthly barriers, reinforcing Jesus' divine nature and the fulfillment of His prophecy.

The Reformed Protestant perspective interprets the actions of the chief priests and Pharisees as a reflection of their disbelief and fear. Their request to secure the tomb (verses 62-64) illustrates their concern over Jesus' prediction of His resurrection. This interpretation suggests that their efforts to prevent deception inadvertently become the groundwork for validating Jesus' claims. The presence of the guards and the seal provides external confirmation that the resurrection was not a result of human tampering. The focus is on the irony that their attempts to stop the spread of Jesus' message ultimately bolster the truth of His resurrection.

Considering both interpretations, the passage serves as a multifaceted testimony to the resurrection's authenticity. The Catholic view highlights divine intervention, while the Reformed Protestant perspective underscores the unwitting role of Jesus' opponents in affirming His prophecy. Together, they reveal a narrative where both divine purpose and human skepticism coalesce to produce a compelling account of the resurrection. The text invites readers to reflect on how divine plans can unfold even amidst human doubt and opposition, affirming the inevitable fulfillment of Jesus' promises.

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