Matthew 27:66

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

So {G1161} they went {G4198}, and made {G805} the sepulchre {G5028} sure {G805}, sealing {G4972} the stone {G3037}, and setting {G3326} a watch {G2892}.

So they went and made the grave secure by sealing the stone and putting the guard on watch.

So they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

Commentary

Matthew 27:66 describes the desperate measures taken by the chief priests and Pharisees to prevent what they feared would be a fraudulent resurrection of Jesus Christ. Following their request to Pontius Pilate, they set about securing the tomb where Jesus' body lay.

Context of Matthew 27:66

This verse immediately follows the discussion between the Jewish leaders and Pilate, detailed in Matthew 27:62-65. The chief priests and Pharisees, remembering Jesus' prophecy that He would rise after three days (Matthew 16:21, 17:23, 20:19), expressed concern that His disciples might steal the body and claim He had risen. To counteract this, Pilate granted them a Roman guard, and they proceeded to make the tomb as secure as possible.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of Human Opposition: The verse powerfully illustrates the inability of human power and precaution to thwart divine will. Despite their best efforts to prevent the resurrection, their actions inadvertently served to confirm its reality.
  • Confirmation of the Resurrection: By sealing the stone and setting a watch, the Jewish authorities provided undeniable evidence that no one could have tampered with the tomb from the outside. This extreme security measure made the subsequent discovery of the empty tomb even more miraculous and credible.
  • Divine Sovereignty: This act of sealing and guarding highlights God's absolute control. Even the plans of those who opposed Him were ultimately incorporated into His perfect plan for Christ's triumph over death.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "made the sepulchre sure" means they took every possible step to guarantee its security. This involved two specific actions:

  • "Sealing the stone": This was an official act, likely involving a cord stretched across the large stone that covered the tomb's entrance, fixed with clay or wax and stamped with an official Roman or temple seal. Breaking this seal would be a serious offense, punishable by Roman law. It served as a clear indicator of any tampering.
  • "Setting a watch": This refers to stationing a detachment of Roman soldiers, a professional guard, to continuously observe the tomb. These soldiers were highly disciplined, and deserting their post or failing in their duty carried severe penalties, including death. Their presence meant the tomb was under constant, trained surveillance.

Practical Application

Matthew 27:66 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that no obstacle, however formidable or well-guarded, can stand in the way of God's ultimate plan. What seems like insurmountable opposition or a tightly sealed problem in our lives is never beyond God's power to overcome. Just as the sealed tomb and armed guard could not prevent the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, so too can God bring life and victory out of seemingly impossible situations. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the unstoppable nature of God's redemptive purpose.

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Cross-References

  • Daniel 6:17 (6 votes)

    And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

  • 2 Timothy 2:19 (2 votes)

    ¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

  • Matthew 27:60 (2 votes)

    And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

  • Matthew 28:2 (2 votes)

    And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

  • Matthew 28:11 (1 votes)

    ¶ Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.