Even in our disbelief our minds still believe in the spoken Words of Christ.

Timeline of Events:

  • Jesus prays in the Garden.
  • Jesus is arrested.
  • Jesus stands before Caiaphas (The high priest).
  • Jesus handed over to Pilate.
  • Jesus delivered to be Crucified.
  • Jesus dies on the Cross.
  • Jesus is buried.

Matthew 27:62-66

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and stealhim away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

 

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate….

  • The next day” – The Sabbath (shabbat) – comes from the Hebrew word “Shavat” – to rest. “Shabbat shalom” – Peaceful Sabbath
  • day of Preparation” – Friday (Mark 15:42; Luke23:54; John 19:31).

 

63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’

  • We remember” – even after all of their challenges to Jesus about who He was and His teachings, there was one thing that stuck with them all.
  • imposter” – a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others, especially for fraudulent gain.
  • still alive” – proof that Jesus did die.
  • After three days I will rise” – Powerful words spoken by Christ that they remembered after all of their challenges of who He was.

’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.”

  • the tomb” – Joseph a rich man and member of the Sanhedrin. This was his personal tomb. (Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus’ body.)
  • Sanhedrin – The Sanhedrin were assemblies of either twenty-three or seventy-one elders, who were appointed to sit as a tribunal in every city in the ancient Land of Israel.
  • Why is this important enough for Gospel writers to mention?
  • Isaiah 53:9 – 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

  • It doesn’t matter what you try to do, you cannot overpower
  • No army can hold back the will of the Father.

66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

  • The tomb had already been sealed by Joseph, but they didn’t think that was enough.
  • So, they sealed the stone so no one could roll it back.

Matthew 28:11-15

11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spreadamong the Jews to this day.