Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
MATTHEW 27:64KJVWhat does Matthew 27:64 mean?
Matthew 27:64 shows the religious leaders asking Pilate to secure Jesus’ tomb until the third day, fearing that Jesus’ disciples might steal His body and claim He had risen from the dead, which they say would create an even bigger problem than before. They want to prevent any chance of rumors or claims about Jesus’ resurrection spreading among the people.
In this verse, the chief priests and Pharisees are speaking to the Roman governor Pilate the day after Jesus’ crucifixion. They remember Jesus’ prediction that He would rise after three days and are worried His followers might fake a resurrection. Their request for a guard and a sealed tomb highlights their concern about controlling the narrative and stopping any movement that could arise from claims of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Greek behind Matthew 27:64
- The word for "make sure" is ἀσφαλίζω (asphalizō), which means to make something secure or guarded. This shows the leaders wanted more than just a closed tomb—they wanted active measures to prevent any tampering.
- The word for "error" is πλάνη (planē), often meaning deception or misleading. The leaders call the potential claim of resurrection a "last error," showing they see it as a dangerous falsehood, even worse than Jesus’ earlier influence.
- The word for "risen" is ἐγείρω (egeirō), which means to be raised up. The leaders specifically fear the claim that Jesus has been raised from the dead, which would validate His earlier statements and potentially cause even greater unrest.
Why Matthew 27:64 matters
- This verse clarifies that even Jesus’ opponents remembered His prediction about rising after three days, showing how seriously His words were taken by both followers and enemies.
- The leaders’ request for a guard sets the stage for the events of the resurrection in Matthew 28, highlighting the lengths they went to in order to prevent any claim of resurrection.
- Understanding this verse helps explain why the tomb was guarded and sealed, addressing later questions about whether Jesus’ body could have been stolen or the resurrection faked.