Matthew 27:62

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} the next day {G1887}, that {G3748} followed {G2076}{G3326} the day of the preparation {G3904}, the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} Pharisees {G5330} came together {G4863} unto {G4314} Pilate {G4091},

Complete Jewish Bible

Next day, after the preparation, the head cohanim and the P'rushim went together to Pilate

Berean Standard Bible

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:62 records the immediate aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion and burial, detailing how the chief priests and Pharisees, despite it being the Sabbath, convened to approach Pontius Pilate. Their urgent meeting with the Roman governor underscores their deep-seated anxiety and persistent opposition to Jesus, even in death, driven by a fear that His claims of resurrection might be substantiated by His followers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Jesus' crucifixion, death, and burial in [Matthew 27:32-61](/matthew/27-32-61 "Matthew 27:32-61 - The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus"). The preceding verses describe Joseph of Arimathea's courageous request for Jesus' body and its placement in a new tomb. Matthew 27:62 thus marks a shift from the events surrounding Jesus' physical death to the religious leaders' proactive measures to prevent any possibility of His resurrection being believed. It sets the stage for the guarding of the tomb and directly precedes their explicit statement of fear regarding Jesus' prophecy of rising on the third day, as detailed in [Matthew 27:63-64](/matthew/27-63-64 "Matthew 27:63-64 - The Request for a Guard"). This narrative sequence highlights the continuity of the religious leaders' hostility and their desperate attempts to control the unfolding events, even as God's plan moved inexorably forward.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "day of the preparation" (Greek: _paraskeuē_) referred to Friday, the day before the Sabbath, when Jews would complete all necessary tasks before the Sabbath's strict cessation of work. Jesus was crucified and buried on this day. "The next day" was therefore the Sabbath, Saturday, a day of sacred rest and worship for the Jewish people. For the chief priests and Pharisees, who were meticulous in their observance of the Mosaic Law, engaging in political activity and a formal meeting with a Roman official on the Sabbath was highly unusual and indicative of their extreme apprehension. Their willingness to violate their own strict interpretations of Sabbath law underscores the profound threat they perceived in Jesus' claims, even after His death. Their appeal to Pilate, the Roman governor, also highlights their dependence on secular authority to enforce their will, despite their frequent clashes with Roman rule.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 27:62 contributes to several significant themes within the broader narrative of Jesus' passion and resurrection. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **Persistent Opposition** of the religious establishment to Jesus, even beyond His death, demonstrating their unwavering hostility and fear of His influence. Secondly, it foreshadows the central theme of the **Resurrection**, revealing the religious leaders' deep-seated anxiety that Jesus' prophecy of rising again might come true, leading them to take extraordinary measures to prevent it (see [Matthew 27:63](/matthew/27-63 "Matthew 27:63 - Their Fear of Resurrection")). Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Hypocrisy**, as these leaders, who rigidly enforced Sabbath laws on others, themselves engaged in secular dealings on the holy day, prioritizing their political agenda over religious observance. Finally, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty** at play, as their very actions, intended to thwart God's plan, inadvertently set the stage for the undeniable proof of the empty tomb and Jesus' ultimate triumph. This fear-driven scheming contrasts sharply with the quiet despair of the disciples, who were likely observing the Sabbath in mourning, unaware of the divine victory that was about to unfold, as hinted at in [Mark 16:1-8](/mark/16-1-8 "Mark 16:1-8 - The Empty Tomb").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **next day (Greek, _epaúrion'_):** This word, derived from "upon" and "tomorrow," explicitly marks the timing as the day immediately succeeding the crucifixion. Its use here emphasizes the urgency and lack of delay on the part of the religious leaders, indicating their immediate concern even on the Sabbath.
* **preparation (Greek, _paraskeuḗ'_):** This term refers specifically to Friday, the day before the Sabbath, when all necessary preparations were made for the Sabbath rest. Its inclusion precisely dates the preceding events (Jesus' crucifixion and burial) and clarifies that the meeting with Pilate occurred on the Sabbath itself.
* **came together (Greek, _synágō'_):** Meaning "to lead together" or "to convene," this word indicates a deliberate, organized assembly of the chief priests and Pharisees. It suggests a formal delegation and a shared purpose, highlighting the collective and intentional nature of their opposition to Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation":** This opening clause precisely establishes the timeline. It was the Sabbath, the day after Jesus' crucifixion and burial. The meticulous dating underscores the urgency and intentionality of the religious leaders' actions, as they chose to conduct official business on a day typically reserved for rest and religious observance.
* **"the chief priests and Pharisees":** This identifies the key antagonists. The chief priests were primarily Sadducees, the aristocratic priestly class responsible for the Temple, while the Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions. Though often at odds, their shared opposition to Jesus united them in this critical moment, demonstrating the breadth of institutional religious power aligned against Him.
* **"came together unto Pilate":** This final phrase describes their action and destination. Their collective approach to Pilate, the Roman governor, signifies their appeal to the highest secular authority in the region. It reveals their desperation to secure Roman power to prevent what they feared most: the validation of Jesus' claims through His resurrection.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the chief priests and Pharisees, who were meticulous about Sabbath observance and condemned Jesus for perceived violations of the Law, themselves engage in political maneuvering and secular business on the holy day. This highlights their **Hypocrisy**, prioritizing their fear and desire for control over their own religious principles. There is also a strong element of **Foreshadowing**; their proactive measures to secure the tomb, born of fear that Jesus' resurrection prophecy might be fulfilled, inadvertently set the stage for the undeniable evidence of the empty tomb, thereby confirming the very event they sought to prevent. The verse also presents a subtle **Contrast** between the probable mourning and Sabbath rest of Jesus' disciples and the restless scheming of His adversaries, underscoring the different responses to the cross.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:62 serves as a powerful testament to the depth of human opposition to God's divine plan, driven by fear, self-preservation, and a desire to maintain power. The religious leaders' actions, even after Jesus' death, underscore the futility of human efforts to thwart God's sovereign will. Their fear of a resurrected Christ, though rooted in unbelief, ironically confirms the potency of Jesus' claims and the profound impact He had on them. This verse highlights how those who reject God's truth often become restless in their attempts to suppress it, demonstrating a spiritual blindness that prevents them from recognizing divine revelation even when it is unfolding before their eyes. Their appeal to Pilate, the very authority they manipulated to crucify Jesus, further exposes their reliance on worldly power rather than divine truth.

* [John 11:47-48](/john/11-47-48 "John 11:47-48 - The Council's Fear of Jesus' Influence")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")
* [Acts 5:38-39](/acts/5-38-39 "Acts 5:38-39 - Gamaliel's Counsel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights into the nature of human resistance to divine truth and the relentless pursuit of control. It reminds us that fear, especially the fear of losing power or influence, can drive individuals and institutions to extraordinary lengths, even to the point of compromising their own stated principles. The chief priests and Pharisees, so zealous for the Law, violated the spirit of the Sabbath out of their desperate need to prevent the truth of Jesus' resurrection from emerging. For us today, this serves as a cautionary tale: are there areas in our lives where fear, pride, or a desire for control lead us to resist God's clear will or to act hypocritically? Do we, like these leaders, attempt to "secure the tomb" of our own comfort zones or preconceived notions, rather than embracing the disruptive, life-giving truth of Christ? The ultimate irony is that their actions, intended to suppress the truth, ultimately served to highlight and confirm it. This should encourage us that no human scheme, no matter how cunning or powerful, can ultimately thwart God's purposes. We are called to trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire, knowing that His plan will prevail, and that even the opposition of His enemies can be used to advance His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What fears or desires for control in my own life might lead me to resist God's truth or act inconsistently with my faith?**
* **How does the religious leaders' hypocrisy on the Sabbath challenge my own understanding of true worship and obedience?**
* **In what ways might my attempts to "secure" my own plans or outcomes actually be futile in the face of God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Why did the chief priests and Pharisees go to Pilate on the Sabbath?**

Answer: Their decision to approach Pilate on the Sabbath, a day of strict rest and religious observance, highlights the extreme urgency and depth of their fear regarding Jesus' claims. While they were meticulous about Sabbath laws for others, their overwhelming concern that Jesus' disciples might steal His body and claim He had risen (as stated in [Matthew 27:63-64](/matthew/27-63-64 "Matthew 27:63-64 - The Leaders' Fear of Resurrection")) led them to prioritize their political agenda over their religious principles. This act underscores their hypocrisy and their desperate attempt to control the narrative surrounding Jesus, even after His death.

**Who were the chief priests and Pharisees, and why were they united in their opposition to Jesus?**

Answer: The chief priests were primarily members of the Sadducee party, an aristocratic and politically influential group that controlled the Temple and its rituals. They generally did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees were a popular Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their emphasis on oral traditions. While these two groups often had theological and political disagreements (e.g., [Acts 23:6-8](/acts/23-6-8 "Acts 23:6-8 - Paul Before the Sanhedrin")), they were united in their opposition to Jesus because He challenged their authority, exposed their hypocrisy, and threatened their established religious and social order. His teachings and miracles, particularly His claims of divinity and His popularity among the people, were perceived as a direct threat to their power and influence, leading them to conspire for His death and, as seen here, to prevent any belief in His resurrection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:62, detailing the religious leaders' frantic efforts to secure Jesus' tomb, ironically sets the stage for the ultimate demonstration of Christ's triumph over death. Their fear that Jesus' prophecy of resurrection might be fulfilled (as expressed in [Matthew 27:63](/matthew/27-63 "Matthew 27:63 - Their Concern Over Jesus' Prophecy")) directly points to the central truth of the Gospel: that Jesus did indeed rise. Their desperate actions, intended to prevent belief in the resurrection, ultimately served to provide undeniable proof of it. The sealed tomb and the Roman guard, far from suppressing the truth, became irrefutable witnesses to the empty tomb on the third day ([Matthew 28:1-6](/matthew/28-1-6 "Matthew 28:1-6 - The Empty Tomb and the Angel's Message")). Thus, the very efforts of those who opposed Christ became part of God's sovereign plan to magnify His victory. Jesus' resurrection, which they so desperately tried to prevent, is the cornerstone of Christian faith, demonstrating His power over sin and death ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Their futile scheming underscores that no human power, no matter how great, can thwart the divine will or hold the Son of God captive ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). Christ's triumph over the grave renders all their anxieties and machinations utterly meaningless, establishing Him as the victorious Lord and the firstfruits of those who sleep ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ the Firstfruits")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 15:42

¶ And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

John 19:14

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

John 19:42

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation [day]; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Matthew 27:1

¶ When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

Matthew 27:2

And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

Matthew 26:17

¶ Now the first [day] of the [feast of] unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?

Luke 23:54

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.