“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 27:64 (KJV)
“So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”– Matthew 27:64 (NLT)
“So give the order to secure the grave until the third day. If the disciples come and steal the body, they will tell everyone he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”– Matthew 27:64 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 27:64 Mean?
In this verse, we find ourselves in a moment of great tension and concern among the religious leaders of the time. Jesus had just been crucified, and His followers were in deep sorrow and confusion. The leaders were worried about the possibility of Jesus being raised from the dead. They feared that if His body was taken, it would lead to claims that He had returned to life, which would further validate Jesus’ ministry and message, thus causing even more unrest among the people. It illustrates the lengths to which they are willing to go to prevent the spreading of what they considered a lie. They requested that the tomb be secured, so the disciples would not have the chance to claim He had risen, as they believed this would lead to greater turmoil.
This passage tells us a lot about fear and control. The religious leaders were scared of losing their power and position due to the influence that Jesus had on the people. Rather than accepting the possibility of Jesus’ resurrection, they chose to take preventative actions to suppress His message. This speaks volumes about the resistance to faith, and how fear can often dictate actions that oppose truth.
It’s important for us to recognize the deep teachings that lie within this verse. It not only reflects the historical events surrounding Jesus’s death but also serves as a reminder of how misinformation and fear can shape our decisions. The leaders thought they were executing a rational plan to maintain control of the situation but, in reality, they were merely sealing their own fate concerning what was to come. Jesus had already mentioned His resurrection, and no amount of human effort could thwart God’s plans. In our hearts, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s purpose will prevail regardless of human onset.
Matthew 27:64 Explanation and Commentary
When we reflect on Matthew 27:64, we are brought face to face with a crucial point in the narrative of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. This moment illustrates a clash between faith and doubt, between God’s divine plans and human actions. The request from the chief priests and Pharisees reveals their growing anxiety about the truth of Jesus’s mission.
The religious leaders felt threatened. They had just sentenced Jesus, whom they viewed as a challenge to their authority, to death. Now, they feared that His disciples might steal the body and make up a story about Jesus rising from the dead. The term “last error” suggests that they believed the influence of Jesus was already significant enough that if the story of His resurrection took root—as it certainly did—the consequences would be much worse for them. They thought that the crucifixion had resolved their problem, yet they couldn’t shake the feeling that they needed to do more to ensure Jesus was silenced for good.
We can draw parallels here to our own lives. Just as the religious leaders were anxious about their power, we sometimes find ourselves having fears that prompt us to act in ways that go against our beliefs. Fear can cause us to seek control in ways that may not align with the truth we know. Instead of relying on God, we might find ourselves attempting to manage situations on our own, as if we could somehow preemptively thwart God’s plans.
This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we allowing fear to drive our decisions? Do we trust in God’s plan for our lives? When we acknowledge the truth of who Jesus is—both as a teacher and Savior—we are reminded that nothing can stand against Him, including our fears. We are called to have faith and trust in the divine purpose that God has laid out for each of us. It encourages us to step back and put our hope in Christ rather than succumbing to worldly anxieties.
Context of Matthew 27:64
Understanding the context of Matthew 27:64 helps us appreciate the gravity of the situation. This verse occurs after Jesus’s crucifixion but before His resurrection. The crucifixion was already a moment of extreme emotional turmoil for Jesus’ followers, who had watched Him suffer and die. The disciples were devastated by the loss of their teacher and friend; they were in hiding, fearful of what might happen to them next.
The religious leaders, however, felt triumphant because they had rid themselves of what they perceived to be a threat. They believed they had successfully silenced Jesus. But their concerns reveal that they understood the significance of Jesus’s message, indicating that they were not entirely convinced of their triumph. They felt compelled to safeguard the tomb against the whispers of resurrection, hinting that they, too, recognized a glimmer of truth in Jesus’s words.
This moment foreshadows the great triumph of resurrection. Despite all the efforts of the religious leaders, God’s plan would not be thwarted. Jesus would rise again, overcoming death once and for all. This speaks to us about the power of God’s promises. No matter how desperate a situation may seem, we must remember that God’s truth will always prevail in the end. Nothing can hold back His power, not even a sealed tomb.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 27:64
In Matthew 27:64, we notice several key phrases that deserve attention. The request to “give the order for the tomb to be made secure” reflects the leaders’ desire to take control of the situation. They couldn’t comprehend the spiritual implications of the resurrection, so they resorted to physical measures. It signifies how human attempts to manipulate events will often fall short in the face of divine intervention.
The part of the verse where it mentions the thought that disciples might come and steal the body suggests a drastic misunderstanding of Jesus’s mission. The religious leaders failed to recognize that the story of Jesus transcended their authority and would continue to gather momentum, regardless of their attempts to stop it. This speaks to our lives when we try to control events or situations. Many times, we are quick to react from a place of fear instead of trusting God and His plans.
Additionally, the phrase “this last deception will be worse than the first” is quite significant. It implies that the religious leaders feared a powerful message might arise from the resurrection. If that happened, it could challenge the foundation of their beliefs and authority. We often find ourselves resistant to truth when it challenges our comfort zones or the way we perceive control. It urges us to reflect on how we might resist God’s plans in our own lives due to fears or worries.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 27:64
There are numerous lessons we can take away from Matthew 27:64. One of the most powerful messages is the reminder about trusting God’s plan. Despite human attempts to control situations through fear and cunning plans, God’s purpose will always prevail. No amount of locking a tomb could contain the power of Jesus Christ. It encourages us to have faith in times of uncertainty, knowing that God’s promises can move mountains.
We also learn about the consequences of fear. The religious leaders allowed their fears to dictate their actions. Instead of embracing the truth about Jesus, they sought to suppress it. This challenges us to confront our fears in faith rather than in manipulation. When we embrace God’s truth, we find that our fears begin to dissipate.
Lastly, we are reminded of the transformative power of Jesus’s resurrection. It symbolizes hope and victory over despair. We should carry this message forward in our own lives and shine a light of encouragement to others who might be struggling with their faith. No matter how dark a situation seems, Christ has already won the victory for us.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 27:64 is a powerful reminder of the struggle between human fear and divine truth. The actions of the religious leaders reflect the human tendency to fearfully cling to control at the expense of faith. However, this encourages us to confront our own fears and choose faith instead. We can find assurance in the belief that nothing can thwart God’s divine purpose. As we embrace the promise of the resurrection, we are reminded that love, hope, and truth will always prevail.
We invite you to explore more about the power of scripture and how it can resonate in our lives. Familiarize yourself with more teachings in the book of Matthew by visiting Matthew 11, or deepen your understanding of foundational biblical stories in Genesis by checking out Genesis 18. There’s a whole treasure of wisdom waiting for you.