Matthew 27: 57-66

JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB

Matthew 27:57-61

Matthew 27:57  As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea  who had become a follower of Jesus, Matthew 27:58  went to Pilate and asked for Jesus  body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to Him. Matthew 27:59  Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. Matthew 27:60  He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

Joseph of Arimathea was one of the priest, the bad guys, except he did accept Jesus testimony proving that not all the leaders were against Jesus John 19:38. He also approached Pilate for the body. This again shows he had some political pull. The Sabbath was about to begin and  Jesus had to be buried before that Deut 21:23. Jesus died around 3:00 Pm and the Sabbath would start around 6:00 Pm. Joseph of Arimathea had a tomb ready and he and Nicodemus and possible others Joh_3:1; Joh_19:38-42. They place Jesus in the tomb and perfumed the body.

GUARDS ARE POSTED AT THE TOMB

Matthewthew 27:62-66

Matthew 27:61  Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

Roman Law forbid any style of mourning at the site of burial of a criminal.

Matthew 27:62  The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. Matthew 27:63  They told him, "Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while He was still alive: 'After three days I will rise from the dead.' Matthew 27:64  So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent His disciples from coming and stealing His body and then telling everyone He was raised from the dead! If that happens, we'll be worse off than we were at first." Matthew 27:65  Pilate replied, "Take guards and secure it the best you can." Matthew 27:66  So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it.

John 18:3 A contingent of  soldiers were to guard the Tomb just in case someone would steal the body and say Jesus had risen. I am sure that was part of the reason the other may have been fear that he would rise again, which in fact he did. Praise God

Agape

Dave