Matthew 27: 62 - 66 The Guards told to make the Tomb as Secure as they know how!!!

The high Priests and Pharisees worried He might rise from the dead.

Mat 27:62  Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate,

Mat 27:63  saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

Mat 27:64  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.

Mat 27:65  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.

Mat 27:66  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

Introduction.

After Jesus Cried out “IT IS FINISHED” and He had breathed His last, our Redemption (Ransom/Rescue) was complete. Joseph, the Rich man from Arimathea had buried Jesus in his own new tomb near to Golgotha, the place of the Skull.

Did you ever see men ridiculously trying to hold God down or hold Him back. Here we have these Jewish ‘Bigwigs’ and Pilate trying their best. “Go make the tomb as sure as you know how;” was their instruction to the Guard.

Weak human efforts to stop God’s Programme will always come to nothing.

Comments

Mat 27:62  Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate,

Notes

The Opposition Leaders, the Chief Priest and the Pharisees, were terrified that what He (Jesus) had promised would come to pass.

Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation…. The very next day after Jesus had died on the cross at their insistence they were still trying to make sure that the Body of Jesus remained where it was supposed to be. In the tomb. That very next day was a special sabbath of the Passover feast. Matthew calls it the day after the preparation.  Here These religious leaders were still trying to combat the Miracle Worker and His promise to rise again.

Mat 27:63  saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

Notes.

Sir, we remember, etc. - While these wicked men are fulfilling their own vicious counsels, they are subserving the great cause of Christianity. Every thing depended on the resurrection of Christ; if it did not appear that he rose from the dead, then the whole system was false, and no atonement was made. It was necessary therefore that the chief priests, etc., should make use of every precaution to prevent an imposture, that the resurrection of Christ might have the fullest evidence to support it. See on Mat_27:60 (note).

The word Κυριε (Lord, Master, Sir) is here very properly translated Sir, …..When a Roman is the speaker, or the person addressed, Κυριε should always be translated sir; when strangers address our Lord, the word is a title of civil respect, and should, in general, be translated in the same way. Supreme Authority.

After three days I will rise again - This they probably took from his saying, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will build it up. If so, they destroyed, by their own words, the false accusation they brought against him to put him to death; then they perverted the meaning, now they declare it. Thus the wise are taken in their own craftiness. Neither the devil nor his servants ever speak truth, but when they expect to accomplish some bad purpose by it.A.C.

Mat 27:64  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: and the last error will be worse than the first.

Notes

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure — by a Roman guard.

until the third day — after which, if He still lay in the grave, the imposture of His claims would be manifest to all.

and say unto the people, he is risen from the dead — Did they really fear this?

so the last error shall be worse than the first — the imposture of His pretended resurrection worse than that of His pretended Messiahship.

Mat 27:65  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard, (Take a Guard), : go, make it as sure as ye can.

Notes

Ye have a guard: go, make it as sure as ye can.

The Literal “Take a Guard” should mean that Pilate would give them a guard for the Sepulchre.

They were to use all possible force at their disposal to secure the site.

Mat 27:66  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

Notes

Now the Jewish leaders would be happy everything having been done to make sure that Jesus did not escape or his disciples whisk His Body away.

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure,

sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

- Or rather, made the tomb secure by the guard, and by sealing the stone. I follow Kypke, in construing μετα της κουστωδιας, with ησφαλισαντο. The guard was to take care that the disciples should not steal him away; and the seal, which was probably the seal of the governor, was to prevent the guards from being corrupted so as to permit the theft. So everything was done which human policy and prudence could, to prevent a resurrection, which these very precautions had the most direct tendency to authenticate and establish. How wonderful are the wisdom and goodness of God! - and how true is it, that there is neither might nor counsel against him!

1. The death of Christ was ordered, so as to be witnessed by thousands; and if his resurrection take place, it must be demonstrated; and it cannot take place without being incontestable, such are the precautions used here to prevent all imposture.
2. The more the circumstances of the death of Christ are examined, the more astonishing the whole will appear. The death is uncommon - the person uncommon - and the object uncommon; and the whole is grand, majestic, and awful. Nature itself is thrown into unusual action, and by means and causes wholly supernatural. In every part, the finger of God most evidently appears.
3. How glorious does Christ appear in his death! Were it not for his thirst, his exclamation on the cross, and the piercing of his side, we should have found it difficult to believe that such a person could ever have entered the empire of death; but the divinity and the manhood equally appear, and thus the certainty of the atonement is indubitably established. A.Clark

Matthew 27 : 57 - 61 The Burial of Jesus In a New Tomb.

The Rich Man, Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus in a New Tomb.

Joseph wrapped the Body. fullydevoted.blogspot.com

Mat 27:57  Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus.

Mat 27:58  He went to Pilate and begged to have the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

Mat 27:59  So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet of fine linen.

Mat 27:60  He then laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn in the solid rock, and after rolling a great stone against the door of the tomb he went home.

Mat 27:61  Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there, sitting opposite to the sepulchre.

Introduction

According to Jewish Law those crucified could not be left on the cross over night.( Deut. 21 :22--23). The romans would have been happy to leave the bodies there overnight or even indefinitely as a warning to others. Josephus says that even the bodies of Criminals were buried before sunset. (War 44:317) But this burial had to be completed by sunset as that marked the beginning of the sabbath day. See Leon Morris P. 728

Comments

Mat 27:57  Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus.

Notes

Towards sunset there came a wealthy inhabitant of Arimathaea..The day was quickly coming to a close when the rich man, Joseph came. This was the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:9.

And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Joseph, who himself also had become a disciple of Jesus.

He was also a Member of the Jewish Ruling Council or Sanhedrin who came from Arimathea a town on the Coastal plain towards Joppa. He had become a follower of Jesus who like Nicodemus was a secret disciple of Jesus.(for fear of the Jews) see Jn 19:38

When most of Jesus disciples were going into hiding because of Jesus Crucifixion , His death brought Joseph out into the open. L.M. 728 Sometimes it takes dramatic events to cause true believers to really reveal their true Identity and gain boldness.

Mat 27:58  He went to Pilate and begged to have the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

Notes It was not the family who buried Jesus as the Jews saw burial as a very important responsibility. Since Jesus had been crucified then the Romans needed to give their permission for the Burial. Joseph took the initiative went to Pilate, the Governor and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised that jesus was so soon dead.

Mat 27:59  So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet of fine linen.

With Nicodemas who had brought 75 lbs of spices, Joseph, took Jesus down from the Cross,, wrapped the Body in a clean cloth, with great respect and dignity.

The Tomb was Jeseph’s own new tomb.

The Garden Tomb Wikimedia.com

Mat 27:60  He then laid it in his own new tomb which he had hewn in the solid rock, and after rolling a great stone against the door of the tomb he went home.

Mat 27:61  Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there, sitting opposite to the sepulchre.

Notes

Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were both present there…

They we watching and planning to return with more spices making sure thast the Bodiy was properly cared for. This shows devotion and commitment.

A Christian Burial in the Jura of France

The Case for Christian Burial by CRI

Admittedly there is no direct command regarding burial or prohibition of cremation.14 While the act of cremation, as such, is not a sin or an intrinsic evil like murder, burial is the general pattern set down in Scripture.15 Its continued practice is a reasonable inference drawn from biblical truths. Thus we believe the evidence supports the conclusion that Christians, if at all possible, should practice burial. It is more symbolically appropriate to do so. There may be circumstances, however, that make burial unwise, against the law, or even impossible; but rare exceptions should not be used to eliminate the general practice of burial.

There are at least six reasons for holding that Christians should practice burial. Each will be briefly stated. Taken together they offer good evidence for preserving the Christian practice of burial.

Christian Burial- Burial Follows the Example of Christ. Jesus’ interment is described in great detail and was clearly a burial (Matt. 27:57–61; John 19:38–42). see below

http://www.equip.org/article/christian-burial-a-case-for-burial/

Christian Burial in Africa

A funeral in Kenya on Friday for Angela Nyokabi Githakwa, one of 142 students killed in an attack last week by young militants. CreditTyler Hicks/The New York TimesBy JEFFREY GETTLEMANAPRIL 10, 2015

Matthew 27: 50 - 56 Strange Happenings after Jesus died on the Cross.

Mat 27:50  But Jesus uttered another loud cry and then yielded up His spirit.

Mat 27:51  Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split;

Mat 27:52  the tombs opened; and many of God's people who were asleep in death awoke.

Mat 27:53  And coming out of their tombs after Christ's resurrection they entered the holy city and showed themselves to many.

Mat 27:54  As for the Captain and the soldiers who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and the other occurrences they were filled with terror, and exclaimed, "Assuredly he was God's Son."

Mat 27:55  And there were a number of women there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to His necessities;

Mat 27:56  among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zabdi.

Comments

Mat 27:50  But Jesus uttered another loud cry and then yielded up His spirit.

Notes.

But Jesus uttered another loud cry

Both Matthew and Mark say that Jesus uttered a LOUD CRY, though neither mention what he said. It  seems most likely that its was the cry that the apostle John reported immediately before His death when He cried, “IT IS FINiSHED.”

Joh 19:30  As soon as Jesus had taken the wine, He said, "It is finished." And then, bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.

This points to the Completion of His Saving work on the Cross. Jesus has paid the full price for the Ransom of our souls. The completed Work

• ALL THAT GOD IN HIS GRACE HAD MADE KNOWN BEFORE WAS FULFILLED.

1. The promises beginning with that at the Fall.

2. The covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Israel.

3. The prophecies.

4. The types.

• THE WORK OF MAN’S REDEMPTION WAS COMPLETED.

1. Every obstacle was removed, symbolized by the rending of the veil.

2. The way of mercy was opened. B.Illustrator

Stop Rehearsing Your Past!  http://www.shamiekadean.com/

One of the biggest, most common problems among Christians is the inability to forgive themselves. It’s called condemnation. If you want to move forward from the pain and bondage, you have to forgive yourself. If you want to heal, you have to forgive yourself. As long as we live, we will make mistakes. Our mistakes do not define us, how we react to them does!  When you know the truth, you will be set free. There are benefits of the cross. The truth about the cross will help you to be free from your past, present and future sins. You are not what you’ve done, you’re what you believe! When you are reminded of your failures, remind yourself of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He paid for all of your sins (past, present, and future) on the cross.  Forgiveness is not a bonus but a promise! Just as easily as you God forgives you, you must also forgive yourself. Do not spend time rehearsing your past, failures, sins or consequences. Spend your time meditating on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He said “It is finished!”

Mat 27:51  Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split;

The First Amazing Happening after Christ died.

Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom:

Notes

The veil of the temple was rent - That is, the veil which separated the holy place, where the priests ministered, from the holy of holies, into which the high priest only entered, and that once a year, to make a general expiation for the sins of the people. This rending of the veil was emblematical, and pointed out that the separation between Jews and Gentiles was now abolished, and that the privilege of the high priest was now communicated to all mankind: All might henceforth have access to the throne of grace, through the one great atonement and mediator, the Lord Jesus. See this beautifully illustrated in Heb_10:19-22. A.Clark

Heb 10:19  Since then, brethren, we have free access to the Holy place through the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20  by the new and ever-living way which He opened up for us through the rending of the veil--that is to say, of His earthly nature--

Heb 10:21  and since we have a great Priest who has authority over the house of God,

Heb 10:22  let us draw near with sincerity and unfaltering faith, having had our hearts sprinkled, once for all, from consciences oppressed with sin, and our bodies bathed in pure water.

The Second Amazing Happening after Christ died.

The Earth qauked.

Earthquake in Nepal: Pray for them

Or shook. Earthquakes are violent convulsions of the ground, This was probably, however, a miraculous convulsion of the earth, in attestation of the truth that the sufferer was the Messiah, the Son of God, and as an exhibition of wrath at the crimes of those who put him to death. It was not confined to Judea, but was felt in other countries. It is mentioned by Roman writers.Barnes

The Rocks Split That is, were torn asunder. Rocks are still seen at Mount Calvary thus rent asunder, which are said to be the ones that were convulsed when the Saviour died. Barnes

The Third Amazing Happening

Mat 27:52  the tombs opened; and many of God's people who were asleep in death awoke.

Notes

And the graves were opened - “Graves” or sepulchres were most commonly made, among the Jews, in solid rocks or in caves of rocks. The rending of the rocks, therefore, would lay them open. The graves were opened by this earthquake, but the dead in them did not rise until after his resurrection.

And many bodies of the saints arose - Of course, it is not known who these were, nor what became of them. It is probable that they were persons who had recently died, and they appear to have been known in Jerusalem; at least, had the ancient saints risen, they would not have been known, and would not so soon have been credited as those who had recently died.

Which slept - Which had died. The death of saints is often called “sleep,” Dan_12:2; 1Co_15:18; 1Th_4:15.

Mat 27:53  And coming out of their tombs after Christ's resurrection they entered the holy city and showed themselves to many.

Notes

“The Breaking of the Tombs happened when Christ died, … “On the one hand, Jesus’

sacrificial death blots out sin, defeats the powers of evil and death, and opens up access to God . On the other, Jesus Victorious Resurrection and Vindication promise the final resurrection of those who die in Him.” Here Matthew has the Great Death and Resurrection in mind and links the raising of the saints of old to this whole happening. L.M. p. 725

And came out of the graves after his resurrection - The narrative of Matthew does not determine whether they came to life before Jesus rose, and remained in the tombs, or came to life after he died. The latter is probably the correct opinion. There is nothing said of the reason why they were raised. It is not improbable to suppose that it was, amid the other wonders attending the death of Jesus, to convince the Jews that he was the Messiah. Perhaps some who had been his open friends were raised up now as an attestation that he in whom they had believed was the Christ. What became of them after they had entered into the city whether they again died or ascended to heaven, is not revealed, and conjecture is vain.

The holy city - Jerusalem, called holy because the temple was there, because it was devoted to God, and because it was the place of religious solemnities.Barnes

The Fourth Amazing Happening The Captain and Guard are convinced.

Mat 27:54  As for the Captain and the soldiers who were with Him keeping guard over Jesus, when they witnessed the earthquake and the other occurrences they were filled with terror, and exclaimed, "Assuredly he was God's Son."

Notes

The Evidence of the earthquake, the darkness, the rocks splitting etc., caused the guards to be filled with terror and cry out. They were convinced that Jesus was God’s Son.

Now when the centurion — the military superintendent of the execution.

and they that were with him watching Jesus, saw the earthquake — or felt it and witnessed its effects.

and those things that were done — reflecting upon the entire transaction.

they feared greatly — convinced of the presence of a Divine Hand.

saying, Truly this was the Son of God — There cannot be a reasonable doubt that this expression was used in the Jewish sense, and that it points to the claim which Jesus made to be the Son of God, and on which His condemnation expressly turned. The meaning, then, clearly is that He must have been what He professed to be; in other words, that He was no impostor. There was no medium between those two. See, on the similar testimony of the penitent thief - “This man hath done nothing amiss” - Luk_23:41.JFB.

Mat 27:55  And there were a number of women there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to His necessities;

Notes

Beholding afar off - These women were probably not suffered to come near the cross because it was surrounded by soldiers. They witnessed with intense feelings his sufferings from some convenient place as near as they could approach.

Ministering unto him - Attending him and providing for his wants. While multitudes of people joined in the cry, “Crucify him!” and forsook him in his trying moments, it does not appear that any of his female followers were thus unfaithful. In the midst of all his trials, and all the Contempt poured upon him, they adhered to their Redeemer. Never did female constancy shine more brightly, and never was a happier example set for all who should afterward believe on him! Barnes

Mat 27:56  among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zabdi.

Notes

Mary Magdalene - Mary of Magdala. She had a special cause of attachment to the Saviour, having been relieved by him of a most dreadful calamity and restored to her right mind, after being possessed by seven devils.

Luk 8:1  Shortly after this He visited town after town, and village after village, proclaiming His Message and telling the Good News of the Kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

Luk 8:2  and certain women whom He had delivered from evil spirits and various diseases--Mary of Magdala, out of whom seven demons had come, Barnes

And the mother of Zebedee’s children - That is, of James and John, Mat_10:2. Her name was Salome, Mar_15:40. Barnes

Mary Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils: by the order of Christ, for he cast them out, Mar_16:9 and which shows, that this is to be understood, in a literal sense, of devils, and the dispossession of them by Christ; and not in a figurative sense, of vices, and the expulsion of them by the power of divine grace; for this same phrase is used where real dispossessions are intended. J.Gill