So they wentThis phrase indicates the immediate response of the chief priests and Pharisees after their meeting with Pilate. It reflects their urgency and determination to ensure that Jesus' body remained in the tomb. This action was taken on the Sabbath, highlighting their prioritization of securing the tomb over strict Sabbath observance.
and secured the tomb
The securing of the tomb was a measure taken to prevent any tampering with Jesus' body. This was in response to Jesus' prophecy that He would rise on the third day (Matthew 16:21). The religious leaders feared that His disciples might steal the body and claim He had risen, thus they took steps to prevent this.
by sealing the stone
Sealing the stone involved placing a seal on the stone that covered the entrance of the tomb. This seal was likely a cord stretched across the stone and fastened with clay or wax, bearing an official mark. Breaking the seal would be a serious offense, indicating tampering. This act was meant to provide both a physical and legal barrier to any interference.
and posting the guard
A guard was stationed at the tomb to ensure that no one could steal the body. This guard was likely composed of Roman soldiers, given the involvement of Pilate, and their presence added an additional layer of security. The presence of Roman guards underscores the seriousness with which the authorities took the threat of Jesus' predicted resurrection. This also sets the stage for the miraculous events of the resurrection, as the presence of guards would make any human intervention highly unlikely.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Chief Priests and PhariseesReligious leaders who were concerned about Jesus' prophecy of rising on the third day. They requested Pilate to secure the tomb.
2.
Pontius PilateThe Roman governor who authorized the sealing of the tomb and the posting of guards to prevent Jesus' disciples from stealing His body.
3.
The TombThe burial place of Jesus, which was a new tomb hewn out of rock, belonging to Joseph of Arimathea.
4.
The StoneA large stone rolled in front of the entrance of the tomb, which was sealed to prevent tampering.
5.
The GuardRoman soldiers assigned to watch over the tomb to ensure that Jesus' body was not taken.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Human Efforts Against God's PlanDespite the religious leaders' and Pilate's efforts to secure the tomb, God's plan for Jesus' resurrection could not be thwarted. This teaches us that God's purposes will prevail regardless of human opposition.
The Importance of Faith in God's PromisesThe sealing of the tomb was an attempt to prevent the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. As believers, we are called to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.
The Power of the ResurrectionThe resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. It demonstrates God's power over death and assures us of our future resurrection and eternal life.
Guarding Against Spiritual ComplacencyJust as the guards were posted to watch the tomb, we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts and minds against spiritual complacency and doubt.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 27:66?
2.How does Matthew 27:66 demonstrate the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan?
3.What does sealing the tomb reveal about the chief priests' intentions?
4.How does Matthew 27:66 connect to prophecies about Jesus' resurrection?
5.How can we trust God's promises when facing seemingly impossible situations?
6.What lessons on vigilance can we learn from the guards' actions in Matthew 27:66?
7.How does Matthew 27:66 support the historical accuracy of Jesus' resurrection?
8.Why was the tomb sealed and guarded in Matthew 27:66?
9.What does Matthew 27:66 reveal about the fears of Jesus' opponents?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 27?
11.What are the key elements of Christ's death and resurrection?
12.Who was Joseph of Arimathea in the Bible?
13.Where was the stone when the women arrived at the tomb?
14.What are the key events in Jesus' life timeline?What Does Matthew 27:66 Mean
So they went• “They” are the chief priests and Pharisees who had just told Pilate, “Sir, we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again’ ” (Matthew 27:63).
• Acting on Pilate’s permission—“You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27:65)—they move immediately to prevent any possibility of Jesus’ body being taken.
•Luke 23:55-56 records that some women “followed and saw the tomb and how His body was laid,” underscoring that multiple eyewitnesses could later attest to whatever they would find.
• Their going demonstrates human resolve against God’s revealed plan, much likePsalm 2:2-4 portrays nations plotting “against the LORD and against His Anointed,” only to discover God “laughs” at their vain schemes.
secured the tomb• “Secured” conveys deliberate, thorough action.Acts 5:23 uses the same idea when the apostles were found missing from a prison “securely locked.”
• Pilate’s command, “make it as secure as you know how,” implies they used every precaution in their power, yet God’s purpose would still prevail;Isaiah 46:10 reminds us He declares “the end from the beginning… My purpose will stand.”
•Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” No amount of earthly security can override divine sovereignty.
by sealing the stone• A seal was an official mark of authority, likeDaniel 6:17 where a stone over the lions’ den was “sealed with the signet ring of the king and his nobles.” Breaking such a seal meant violating Roman power as well as Jewish leadership.
• The stone itself testified to Jesus’ genuine death and burial, fulfilling “He was buried” (1 Corinthians 15:4).
•Revelation 20:3 shows a future angel “sealed” the abyss; in both cases, men or angels apply seals, yet God alone decides when they are broken.
and posting the guard• A Roman guard (likely 4-16 soldiers) stood watch.Matthew 28:4 notes that at the resurrection “the guards trembled and became like dead men,” proving their presence was real and powerless to stop God.
• After the resurrection, “some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened” (Matthew 28:11). Their eyewitness testimony forced the leaders to fabricate the bribery story (vv. 12-15), inadvertently confirming the empty tomb.
•Acts 12:4 and 16:23 show how Rome viewed custodial failure: it could cost a soldier’s life. That these guards later spread the leaders’ lie underscores the monumental impact of what they witnessed.
summaryMatthew 27:66 shows determined religious and civil authorities doing everything humanly possible to keep Jesus in the grave: they go in person, employ maximum security, seal the stone with official authority, and station a professional guard. Each precaution, meant to silence the promise “After three days I will rise,” instead amplifies the miracle, verifying that the tomb was truly empty by God’s power alone. The verse thus affirms both the reality of Jesus’ death and the certainty of His resurrection, demonstrating that no human scheme can thwart the plans of the Living God.
(66)
Sealing the stone.--The opening of the tomb had been already closed by the stone which had been rolled so as to fill, or nearly fill, it. The sealing was probably effected by drawing one or more ropes across the stone and fastening either end to the rock with wax or cement of some kind.
And setting a watch.--Better,with the guard. What is meant is that the priests were not content to leave the work to the soldiers, but actually took part in it themselves.
Verse 66. -So they (οἱ δὲ,and they)went. They left the procurator's presence, relieved at having gained their request and precluded all fear of collusion.Sealingthe stone, and setting a watch (μετὰ τῆςκουστωδίας,with the watch;cum custodibus). The last words are variously rendered. Thus: "scaled the stone by means of the watch" (Alford); "scaling the stone, the guard being with them" (Revised Version); "as well as having the watch" (Webster and Wilkinson); "in concert with the guard" (Morison). This last expositor has best seized the complex notion contained in the evangelist's language: "They made the sepulchre sure by sealing the stone in concert with the guard (and thereafter leaving the guard to keep watch)." The stone was sealed probably in this manner: a cord was passed round the stone that closed the mouth of the sepulchre to the two sides of the entrance; this was scaled with wax or prepared clay in the centre and at the ends, so that the stone could not be removed without breaking the seals or the cord (comp.Daniel 6:17). Thus carefully did Christ's enemies obviate the possibility of any fraud or collusion; thus did they themselves prove unanswerably the truth and reality of the resurrection of that same Jesus whoso dead body they so carefully guarded. "Everywhere deceit recoils upon itself, and. against its will supports the truth. It was necessary for it to be believed that he died, and that he rose again, and that he was buried, and all these things are brought to pass by his enemies .... The proof of his resurrection has become incontrovertible by what ye [his enemies] have put forward. For because it was sealed, there was no unfair dealing. But if there was no unfair dealing, and the sepulchre was found empty, it is manifest that he is risen, plainly and incontrovertibly. Seest thou how even against their will they contend for the proof of the truth?" (St. Chrysostom,in loc.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
So
δὲ(de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.
they went [and]
πορευθέντες(poreuthentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4198:To travel, journey, go, die.
secured the tomb
ἠσφαλίσαντο(ēsphalisanto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 805:To make safe (secure, fast). From asphales; to render secure.
by sealing
σφραγίσαντες(sphragisantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4972:To seal, set a seal upon. From sphragis; to stamp for security or preservation; by implication, to keep secret, to attest.
the
τὸν(ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
stone
λίθον(lithon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3037:A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.
[and posting]
μετὰ(meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326:(a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.
the
τῆς(tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
guard.
κουστωδίας(koustōdias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2892:A guard, watch. Of Latin origin; 'custody', i.e. A Roman sentry.
Links
Matthew 27:66 NIV
Matthew 27:66 NLT
Matthew 27:66 ESV
Matthew 27:66 NASB
Matthew 27:66 KJV
Matthew 27:66 BibleApps.com
Matthew 27:66 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 27:66 Chinese Bible
Matthew 27:66 French Bible
Matthew 27:66 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Matthew 27:66 So they went with the guard (Matt. Mat Mt)
