So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first." So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day.The request to secure the tomb highlights the concern of the Jewish leaders about Jesus' prophecy of His resurrection on the third day (Matthew 16:21). The "third day" is significant in Jewish tradition, often associated with divine intervention and fulfillment of promises (Hosea 6:2). The act of securing the tomb reflects the political and religious tension of the time, as the Jewish leaders sought to prevent any claim of resurrection that could incite unrest or challenge their authority. Mat 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights…… Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away This phrase indicates the fear of the Jewish leaders that the disciples might attempt to fabricate a resurrection by stealing Jesus' body. It reflects their awareness of Jesus' prediction of His resurrection and their desire to prevent any possibility of such claims. Historically, grave robbery was a concern, and the leaders wanted to ensure that no such incident could be used to support Jesus' messianic claims. Mat 28:13-15 His disciples came by night and stole Him away… and tell the people He has risen from the dead. The concern about the disciples spreading a resurrection story underscores the leaders' fear of Jesus' influence even after His death. The resurrection is central to Christian faith, as it validates Jesus' divinity and His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:14). The leaders' anxiety about this message spreading shows their understanding of its potential impact on the people and their own authority. Mat 28:6-7 He is not here; He has risen, just as He said!… And this last deception would be worse than the first.” The "first" deception likely refers to Jesus' claim to be the Messiah, which the Jewish leaders rejected. They considered His teachings and miracles as misleading the people. The "last deception," the claim of resurrection, would be more dangerous as it could solidify Jesus' messianic status and inspire a larger following. This reflects the leaders' fear of losing control and the potential for a significant shift in religious and social dynamics. Mat 12:45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits… Persons / Places / Events 1. Pontius PilateThe Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus and authorized His crucifixion. He is approached by the chief priests and Pharisees to secure the tomb. 2. Chief Priests and Pharisees Jewish religious leaders who were concerned about Jesus' prophecy of resurrection and sought to prevent any claim of His rising from the dead. 3. The Tomb The burial place of Jesus, which was to be secured to prevent His disciples from claiming He had risen. 4. Disciples of Jesus Followers of Jesus who were suspected by the religious leaders of potentially stealing Jesus' body to claim He had risen. 5. The Resurrection The event that the religious leaders feared would be claimed by the disciples, which is central to Christian faith as the proof of Jesus' divine nature and victory over death. Teaching Points The Importance of the ResurrectionThe resurrection is central to Christian faith. Without it, our faith is in vain. It validates Jesus' claims and His victory over sin and death. Human Efforts vs. Divine Plan Despite human efforts to thwart God's plan, His purposes prevail. The religious leaders' attempt to secure the tomb only serves to highlight the power of God in the resurrection. Faith in the Face of Doubt Believers are called to trust in the truth of the resurrection, even when faced with skepticism or attempts to discredit it. The Role of Witnesses The disciples, initially seen as potential deceivers, become the primary witnesses to the resurrection, tasked with spreading the Gospel. Guarding Against Deception Just as the religious leaders feared deception, Christians must be vigilant against false teachings and hold firmly to the truth of Scripture. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the securing of the tomb by the religious leaders ironically serve to strengthen the evidence for the resurrection?2. In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus provide hope and assurance in your personal faith journey? 3. How can we, as modern-day disciples, effectively witness to the truth of the resurrection in a skeptical world? 4. What are some contemporary "deceptions" that challenge the truth of the resurrection, and how can we guard against them? 5. How does understanding the resurrection as a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy (as seen in John 2:19-22) deepen your appreciation for God's sovereignty and faithfulness? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 28:11-15This passage describes the aftermath of the resurrection, where the guards report the empty tomb, and the chief priests bribe them to say the disciples stole Jesus' body, showing the continuation of their deception. John 2:19-22 Jesus predicts His resurrection, saying, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," which the disciples later understand as referring to His body. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Paul emphasizes the resurrection as a foundational truth of the Gospel, affirming that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day.
People Barabbas, Eli, Elias, Elijah, Israelites, James, Jeremiah, Jeremias, Jeremy, Jesus, Joseph, Joses, Judas, Mary, Pilate, Simon, Zabdi, ZebedeePlaces Arimathea, Cyrene, Field of Blood, Galilee, Golgotha, Jerusalem, Place of the SkullTopics Body, Command, Dead, Deceit, Deception, Disciples, Error, Fear, Fraud, Grave, Guarded, Haply, Imposture, Lest, Order, Orders, Otherwise, Perhaps, Raised, Risen, Rose, Safe, Secretly, Secure, Secured, Securely, Sepulcher, Sepulchre, Serious, Steal, Sure, Third, Till, Tomb, WorseDictionary of Bible Themes Matthew 27:647552 Pharisees, attitudes to Christ Library The Blind Watchers at the Cross'And sitting down they watched Him there.' --MATT. xxvii. 36. Our thoughts are, rightly, so absorbed by the central Figure in this great chapter that we pass by almost unnoticed the groups round the cross. And yet there are large lessons to be learned from each of them. These rude soldiers, four in number, as we infer from John's Gospel, had no doubt joined with their comrades in the coarse mockery which preceded the sad procession to Calvary; and then they had to do the rough work of the executioners, … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Veil Rent The Sentence which Condemned the Judges The Crucifixion 'See Thou to That!' Taunts Turning to Testimonies The Fourth Word Let Him Deliver Him Now The Rent Veil Lama Sabachthani? Our Lord's Solemn Enquiry The Eloi. Third Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Formally Condemned by the Sanhedrin and Led to Pilate. First Stage of the Roman Trial. Jesus Before Pilate for the First Time. Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion. Remorse and Suicide of Judas. The Crucifixion. The Morning of Good Friday. Crucified, Dead, and Buried. ' Jesus in the Tomb. The vicariousness of Prayer The Fifth Word from the Cross The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us. Lastly; they who Will Not, by the Arguments and Proofs Before Mentioned, Links Matthew 27:64 NIVMatthew 27:64 NLT Matthew 27:64 ESV Matthew 27:64 NASB Matthew 27:64 KJV Matthew 27:64 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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