Matthew 27:62 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:62 mean?

Matthew 27:62 describes how, on the day after Jesus’ crucifixion (which was the day following the Jewish day of preparation), the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together and went to speak with the Roman governor Pilate. This sets the stage for their request regarding Jesus’ tomb.

The verse takes place after Jesus has been crucified and buried. The “day of preparation” refers to the day before the Sabbath, when Jewish people made ready for the day of rest. The chief priests and Pharisees, who were Jewish religious leaders, approach Pilate, the Roman authority, showing their continued concern about Jesus even after his death.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:62

• The word for “preparation” is παρασκευή (paraskeuē), which specifically refers to the day before the Sabbath, when preparations were made for rest. This detail helps clarify the timeline and the urgency of the leaders’ actions.
• The phrase “came together” uses the Greek word συνάγω (synagō), often meaning to assemble or gather with a purpose. Here, it highlights the coordinated effort of the religious leaders.
• The word for “Pharisees” is Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaios), identifying a particular group of Jewish leaders who were especially concerned with religious law and tradition.

Why Matthew 27:62 matters

• This verse shows that the religious leaders remained worried about Jesus’ influence even after his death, which sets up the events surrounding the guarding of the tomb.
• The mention of both chief priests and Pharisees emphasizes a rare cooperation between different Jewish factions, united by their concern over Jesus.
• The timing (“the next day, that followed the day of the preparation”) helps readers understand the sequence of events leading up to the resurrection narrative, anchoring the story in the Jewish calendar.