Matthew 27:58 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

NIV: Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

NASB: This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.

CSB: He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus's body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released.

NLT: went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.

KJV: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

NKJV: This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

Joseph, a wealthy member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin, has come forward to help the friends of Jesus deal with His body (Matthew 27:50). Joseph is a secret follower of Jesus (John 19:38) who now decides to act boldly. He goes to Pilate and asks if he can take Jesus' body away now that He has died.

We know from Mark's gospel that Pilate is surprised Jesus is already dead (Mark 15:44). Crucifixions could sometimes last for days; the cruel process was designed with that in mind. The fact that Jesus was viciously flogged and beaten prior to the crucifixion (John 19:1–4) likely made His death much quicker. While Romans often left criminals to rot as a warning, this was an offensive practice to Jews (Deuteronomy 21:22–23). With a major religious feast at hand (John 19:31; Matthew 27:62), Pilate would have no reason not to let the dead be buried immediately.

Pilate confirms with a centurion that Jesus is dead (John 19:31–34) and agrees to give the corpse to Joseph. The gospel writers are careful to clarify, repeatedly, that Jesus was entirely and unmistakably devoid of life. This was meant to combat false rumors that He may have not truly died and was not therefore truly resurrected.

Matthew 27:57–66 describes Jesus' burial and the watch placed over His tomb. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy follower of Jesus, asks for Jesus' body. Pilate agrees. Joseph wraps Jesus' body in a clean linen shroud and places it in his own, never-used tomb, which is cut out of the rock in a garden. Jesus' enemies ask Pilate to place Roman soldiers at the grave site. They seek to prevent anyone from stealing His body and claiming He has been resurrected. Pilate agrees. The tomb is sealed. A guard is posted. These events are also seen in Mark 15:42–47, Luke 23:50–56, and John 19:38–42.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.