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

MATTHEW 27:58KJV
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Matthew 27:58 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:58 mean?

Matthew 27:58 describes how Joseph of Arimathea approached Pilate and asked for permission to take Jesus’ body after the crucifixion. Pilate agreed and ordered that Jesus’ body be given to Joseph.

In this verse, Joseph—a respected member of the Jewish council who had become a follower of Jesus—takes a bold step by going directly to the Roman governor, Pilate, to request Jesus’ body. This happened after Jesus had died on the cross, and the request was unusual because crucified bodies were often left unburied. The verse highlights Joseph’s courage and the official involvement of Pilate in allowing Jesus’ burial.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:58

  • The word translated as "begged" is ᾐτήσατο (ēitēsato), from the root αἰτέω (aiteō), which means to ask or request earnestly. This shows Joseph’s respectful but urgent plea, not a casual question.
  • The word for "body" is σῶμα (sōma), which simply means a physical body. Its repetition in the verse emphasizes the real, physical death of Jesus and the care taken for his remains.
  • The verb "commanded" is ἐκέλευσεν (ekeleusen), from κελεύω (keleuō), meaning to give an authoritative order. Pilate’s response is not just permission but an official directive, showing the legal process behind Jesus’ burial.

Why Matthew 27:58 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus’ burial was not done in secret or by stealth, but with official Roman approval, which supports the historical credibility of the burial account.
  • The involvement of Joseph, a known public figure, and Pilate, the Roman governor, shows that Jesus’ death and burial were witnessed and handled by recognized authorities.
  • The verse connects to the fulfillment of prophecy and sets the stage for the resurrection narrative, emphasizing that Jesus was truly dead and buried before Easter morning.

Where else these words appear

“commanded” Greek G2753 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 8:18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
  • Acts 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
  • Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

“delivered” Greek G591 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
  • Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
  • Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

“Pilate” Greek G4091 · used in 53 verses

  • Matthew 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
  • Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
  • John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

“begged” Greek G154 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
  • Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
  • Acts 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;