What is the meaning of Matthew 27:60? Placed it in his own new tomb Matthew 27:60 begins, “and placed it in his own new tomb…”. • Joseph of Arimathea personally lays Jesus’ body to rest, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9, which foretold that the Suffering Servant would be “with a rich man in His death.” • The tomb is “his own,” showing Joseph’s costly devotion (cf. Mark 15:43-46; Luke 23:50-53). • That it is “new” underscores there was no prior occupant, removing any doubt whose body would rise (John 19:41). Cut into the rock The verse adds that the tomb “had [been] cut into the rock.” • Rock-hewn tombs were permanent, secure, and expensive, highlighting Joseph’s faith-driven generosity (Acts 4:36-37 shows similar sacrificial giving among early believers). • A rock tomb prevents natural explanations—no accidental loss or mistaken grave (cf. Psalm 16:10, a prophecy that God would not let His Holy One see decay). Rolled a great stone across the entrance “Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb…” • The stone sealed the grave, weighing several hundred pounds, making tampering highly unlikely (Mark 16:3). • Rome would later add an official seal and guard (Matthew 27:65-66), multiplying the evidence for a bodily resurrection when the stone is found moved (Matthew 28:2-6). Went away “…and went away.” • Joseph entrusts Jesus to the Father’s keeping, a quiet act of faith akin to Abraham leaving Isaac in God’s hands (Genesis 22:8, 14). • His departure sets the stage for the women to witness the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1), anchoring the Gospel testimony in multiple eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). summary Matthew 27:60 shows a faithful disciple providing a new, rock-hewn tomb, sealing it with a massive stone, and stepping back in trust. Every detail—rich man, new tomb, secure stone—confirms prophecy, rules out natural explanations, and magnifies the certainty of Christ’s bodily resurrection. |
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