Matthew 27:62 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate

NIV: The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.

NASB: Now on the next day, that is, the day which is after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate,

CSB: The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate

NLT: The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate.

KJV: Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

NKJV: On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,

Jesus' body has been hastily wrapped in a linen shroud with some spices and laid out in a brand-new tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57–61). Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses (Mark 15:40, 47) saw where Jesus was buried. They plan to return on Sunday morning, after the Sabbath, to add burial spices and ointments to the body.

Matthew refers to the current day, somewhat awkwardly, as the day after the day of Preparation. The day of Preparation for the Sabbath was Friday, so now it is Saturday. Some Jewish priests and Pharisees have come to see Pilate once again. Given the outrageous uproar which happened on the prior day (Matthew 27:24), Pilate is likely not happy to see them, or especially interested in their concerns.

However, these men are worried that someone will steal Jesus' body. This would make it easier to claim He has been raised from the dead, making Him a potent symbol for those who resisted either Rome or Jerusalem's leaders. That danger, apparently, will be enough for Pilate to agree to keep an eye on the grave for a few days (Matthew 27:63–66).

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.